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What is web accessibility, and is it required?

Web accessibility means building sites people with disabilities can use, including those who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or captions. The standard is WCAG, and as of 2026 the current stable version is WCAG 2.2, with Level AA as the practical target that most laws reference.

In many places it's a legal requirement, not just good practice. Regulations like the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 508 in the US, and the European Accessibility Act point to WCAG 2.2 Level AA, and accessibility lawsuits are common. WCAG 2.2 is also now an ISO standard.

Beyond compliance, accessibility widens your audience and usually improves the site for everyone: clearer structure, better contrast, and keyboard support help all users. Much of it is built in from the start at little cost, and expensive to retrofit later.

Updated July 2026

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