WCAG 2.1 Level AA
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are the international reference standard. Level AA is what procurement almost always asks for, and what we target on client work.
Accessibility
Public bodies, health systems and federally funded programs are required to make their digital services accessible. We build to that standard by default rather than treating it as an add-on, because retrofitting it afterwards costs several times more than doing it first.
The standards that apply
Section 508
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act governs federal agencies and organizations receiving federal funds. Since the 2017 refresh it incorporates WCAG 2.0 AA directly, so building to WCAG 2.1 AA satisfies it and goes slightly further.
State and municipal policy
Many New Hampshire and Vermont public bodies apply the same requirements through their own procurement rules. We can supply conformance documentation as part of a bid.
What we do on every build
Semantic structure
Real landmarks and a correct heading order on every page, so screen readers and assistive technology can navigate by structure rather than guessing from visual styling.
Keyboard operation
Every interactive control is reachable and operable by keyboard, with a visible focus indicator, and a skip link so keyboard users are not forced through the navigation on each page.
Contrast
Text and interface colours are checked against WCAG contrast ratios rather than chosen by eye. We publish the numbers for our own site below.
Text alternatives
Meaningful images carry descriptive alternative text; decorative images are marked as decorative so they are skipped rather than announced.
Motion preferences
Entrance animations are disabled for visitors whose system requests reduced motion, under the prefers-reduced-motion media query.
Works without JavaScript
Content is visible and readable with scripting unavailable. Animation and interactive enhancement layer on top rather than being required to read the page.
This site, measured
Published rather than claimed. These are the contrast ratios for this site's own palette, calculated against the WCAG formula. AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
| Colour pair | Contrast | AA |
|---|---|---|
| Body text on white | 16.2:1 | Pass |
| Muted text on white | 8.3:1 | Pass |
| Crimson links and headings on white | 7.7:1 | Pass |
| Forest green on white | 8.1:1 | Pass |
| White on crimson buttons | 7.7:1 | Pass |
| White on the darkest hero green | 11.5:1 | Pass |
| White on the lightest hero green | 5.2:1 | Pass |
Being straight about scope
This site has not been through a third-party accessibility audit, and we do not claim a formal conformance certification for it. What is stated above is what has been built and measured, and the contrast figures can be checked against the published palette.
For a project where conformance has to be demonstrated rather than described — a public procurement, a federally funded program — we will scope formal testing, including assistive technology testing, and produce an Accessibility Conformance Report. That is separate work with a real cost, and we would rather name it than imply it is already done.
Found a problem on this site, or have trouble using any part of it? Emailinfo@beebalmproductions.com and we will fix it.