WCAG 2.0: How to Meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines at UofL

WCAG 2.0 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the international standard for making web content accessible to people with disabilities. UofL websites must meet WCAG 2.0 AA standards to comply with ADA and Section 508 requirements.

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Before You Begin

• Ensure you have a valid UofL user account and access to your department’s website. 
• Review UofL web governance and accessibility policies and WCAG guidelines.
• Identify the content and features on your site that need to be remediated or made accessible.

 

Instructions

Understand WCAG Principles

• Review the four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust (POUR).
• Familiarize yourself with Level A, AA and AAA success criteria.

Apply Accessibility Best Practices

• Provide alternative text (alt text) for images and visual elements.
• Ensure good color contrast and avoid using color as the only way to convey information.
• Make all links descriptive and identify file types.
• Use headings and structure for easy navigation.
• Ensure all content is accessible by keyboard and screen readers.

Test and Validate Accessibility

• Use Siteimprove or other automated tools to check for WCAG compliance.
• Manually review pages for usability and accessibility barriers.
• Request an accessibility review or accommodation if needed.

Report Issues and Request Help

• Use the UofL accessibility form or email webaccessibility@louisville.edu to report barriers or request accommodations.

 

Further Readings

• WCAG 2.0 Overview
• UofL Web Accessibility

Need Additional Help

• Submit a Ticket: Use the self-service portal to log requests.