Web Accessibility (WCAG) Guide for Singapore Websites
Key Takeaways
- WCAG provides international standards for web accessibility
- Accessible websites reach more users including 500,000+ Singaporeans with disabilities
- Many accessibility improvements also benefit SEO
- Common issues include poor color contrast, missing alt text, and keyboard navigation
- Automated tools catch about 30% of issues; manual testing is essential
Understanding WCAG
WCAG is built on four principles, remembered by the acronym POUR: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Each principle contains specific guidelines and success criteria at three levels: A (basic), AA (standard), and AAA (enhanced).
Most organizations target WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance, which provides good accessibility without requiring extreme measures.
Common Accessibility Issues
Visual Issues
- Insufficient color contrast between text and background
- Missing alternative text for images
- Text that cannot be resized without breaking layout
Navigation Issues
- Elements that cannot be accessed via keyboard
- Missing skip navigation links
- Unclear focus indicators
Content Issues
- Missing headings or incorrect heading hierarchy
- Forms without proper labels
- Videos without captions
Testing Your Website
Use automated tools like WAVE, axe, or Lighthouse for initial assessment. Follow up with manual testing: navigate using only keyboard, test with screen readers, and verify at different zoom levels.
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