Where it may appear that accessibility is a design or dev concern, authoring inclusive content is a big part of a project’s accessibility efforts. From the document’s structure to the relationship between labels and components, content helps lead, inform, and instruct throughout the user’s journey. To help improve the usability of their products and strengthen accessibility support, content writers can utilize the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to conform to accessibility standards. The WCAG is divided into four sections: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Within these four sections are Success Criteria (SC), which serve as guidelines for conformance. The following SC cover content-related tasks that authors can directly impact or influence.

Perceivable

1.1 Text Alternatives

• 1.1.1 Non-text Content

1.2 Time-based Media

• 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
• 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded)
• 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)
• 1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

1.3 Adaptable

• 1.3.1 Info and Relationships
• 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence
• 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics
• 1.3.4 Orientation
• 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose
• 1.3.6 Identify Purpose

1.4 Distinguishable

• 1.4.1 Use of Color
• 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
• 1.4.4 Resize Text
• 1.4.5 Images of Text
• 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced)
• 1.4.8 Visual Presentation
• 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception)
• 1.4.10 Reflow
• 1.4.12 Text Spacing

Operable

2.4 Navigable

• 2.4.2 Page Titled
• 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)
• 2.4.5 Multiple Ways
• 2.4.6 Headings and Labels
• 2.4.8 Location
• 2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only)
• 2.4.10 Section Headings

2.5 Input Modalities

• 2.5.3 Label in Name

Understandable

3.1 Readable

• 3.1.1 Language of Page
• 3.1.2 Language of Parts
• 3.1.3 Unusual Words
• 3.1.4 Abbreviations
• 3.1.5 Reading Level
• 3.1.6 Pronunciation

3.2 Predictable

• 3.2.4 Consistent Identification

3.3 Input Assistance

• 3.3.1 Error Identification
• 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions
• 3.3.3 Error Suggestion
• 3.3.5 Help

Robust

4.1 Compatible

• 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value
• 4.1.3 Status Messages

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References:

Understanding WCAG 2.2
https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref/

Learning Resources

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.2)
https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/

Writing Accessible Content for the Web
https://www.a11y-collective.com/product/writing-accessible-content-for-the-web/

Writing Clearly and Simply
https://webaim.org/techniques/writing/

Accessible Document Specialist (ADS)
https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/s/accessible-document-specialist