If you’ve ever tried explaining WCAG — the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines — to someone outside the accessibility world, you’ve probably hit the same wall: their eyes glaze over somewhere between “Perceivable” and “Success Criteria.”
So let’s ditch the tech talk for a minute and talk about something more familiar: buildings.
Because WCAG, at its heart, is just a building code – but for the digital world. And the way it’s structured (Levels A, AA, and AAA) mirrors how physical spaces can either welcome everyone or quietly shut them out.
Level A: The Bare Minimum – You’re Technically In, But Good Luck
This is a front door with no ramp, no elevator, and a broken intercom. The lights flicker. Signs are confusing. Maybe there’s a step up you weren’t expecting.
People can get in, but they might:
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Get lost
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Strain their eyes
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Need extra help just to move around
It meets the legal minimum, but it’s stressful, unclear, and excludes anyone who doesn’t match the default user profile.
On the web, this might be:
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No keyboard navigation
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No alt text
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Tiny, low-contrast fonts
The content is there, but getting to it is like navigating a haunted house in the dark.
Level AA: The Standard Most People Aim For – Access With Dignity
Here’s where things get better.
There’s a ramp. The doors open automatically. The elevator is wide enough for a wheelchair. You know where you are, and you know how to get where you need to go, without asking for help or feeling like an outsider.
This is what most accessibility laws and organizations target, because it’s a sweet spot between function and inclusion.
In digital terms:
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Sufficient colour contrast
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Clear focus indicators
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Alt text for meaningful images
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Logical heading structure
It’s not fancy, but it works. Everyone can participate without extra friction.
Level AAA: The Gold Standard of “Welcome, We’ve Been Expecting You”
Now imagine this:
You arrive at a building, and the entrance is smooth. The elevator not only works, it speaks. There’s Braille signage, good lighting, quiet spaces, and someone nearby who can help if you need it, but you probably won’t. Because everything has been designed with you in mind.
This isn’t just accessible, it’s delightful.
Digitally, that might include:
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Sign language for videos
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Extended audio descriptions
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Simplified language
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Customizable text and colour schemes
Most organizations don’t reach this level for every page, and that’s okay. It’s not always feasible. But it’s a powerful target for high-impact content like public services, education, or emergency communication.
So Which Level Should You Aim For?
Level AA is the practical gold standard, and it’s what most accessibility laws require.
But here’s the real question: would you feel welcome in the space you’ve designed? Or just tolerated?
Use that to guide your decisions. Because WCAG isn’t just a checklist. It’s a design philosophy: one that says everyone should be able to show up, participate, and thrive.
