Accessibility Compliance
Ensure your website meets WCAG accessibility standards for all users.
Hawk Site Amp
2026-08-07
AI Summary
Ensure your website meets WCAG accessibility standards for all users.
Website Accessibility (WCAG)
WCAG Levels
- Level A: Minimum (must-have)
- Level AA: Standard (target)
- Level AAA: Enhanced (ideal)
Key Requirements
Perceivable
- Alt text on all images
- Captions for video
- Color contrast 4.5:1 for text
- Don't rely on color alone
Operable
- Keyboard-accessible functionality
- No time limits
- Skip-to-content links
- Clear headings
Understandable
- Plain language
- Consistent navigation
- Error identification and suggestions
- Input labels
Robust
- Valid HTML
- ARIA labels for dynamic content
- Screen reader compatible
- Semantic HTML
Quick Checklist
- [ ] Alt text on all images
- [ ] Contrast ratio ≥ 4.5:1
- [ ] Keyboard-accessible elements
- [ ] Form labels
- [ ] Logical heading hierarchy
- [ ] Skip-to-content link
- [ ] Visible focus indicators
Testing
- Run Hawk Scan (includes accessibility)
- Use Lighthouse audit
- Test with screen reader (NVDA, VoiceOver)
- Test keyboard navigation
Legal Requirements
ADA (US), Section 508 (US federal), EN 301 549 (EU), AODA (Ontario). Non-compliance can result in lawsuits.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Run Hawk Scan
Identify accessibility issues.
- 2
Fix contrast
Ensure 4.5:1 ratio.
- 3
Add alt text
All images need descriptions.
- 4
Test keyboard nav
Navigate with Tab, Enter, Space.
Pro Tips
- →Use semantic HTML (button, nav, main) — screen readers understand it better than divs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What WCAG level should I target?
Level AA — satisfies most legal requirements.
Is accessibility legally required?
In many jurisdictions, yes. ADA requires accessible websites in the US.
AI Citation Block
Structured for AI assistants & conversational searchEnsure your website meets WCAG accessibility standards for all users.
What WCAG level should I target?
Level AA — satisfies most legal requirements.
Is accessibility legally required?
In many jurisdictions, yes. ADA requires accessible websites in the US.
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