What are the easiest WCAG requirements to implement early in a web project?

Web accessibility should be considered at every step of a project cycle, from design to QA. Although the difficulty of WCAG success criteria can be subjective, the following are a few criteria that can be implemented without a time investment from the beginning stages of a project.

WCAG 1.1.1 Non-Text Content: Text Alternatives

• Ensure all meaningful non-text content, like meaningful images, has a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose.

WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) & 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast

• All meaningful text, symbols, and interactive components in every state, like focus and hover states, meet contrast requirements.

1.4.1 Use of Color

• Color should not be used as the only visual means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. For example, in graphical elements like charts or graphs, you can use patterns, icons, shapes, or text in addition to color to distinguish differences and convey meaning.

WCAG 1.3.1 Info and Relationships: Heading Levels

• The level of a heading should increase as the information becomes more fine-tuned. Generally speaking, a page should start with a level one heading, then subsequent sections should be introduced with level two headings. Subsets of information within the section(s) introduced by level two headings should be introduced by higher-level headings.

2.4.4 Link Purpose

• Make sure that links have meaningful text that indicates their purpose. Avoid vague terms like click here and describe what the link leads to; for example, Read the full article.