WCAG 2.2 Compliance: Enhancing Accessibility Through Semantic HTML Elements

As web accessibility continues to gain traction, adhering to the opens in a new windowW3C Web Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 is crucial for ensuring an inclusive online experience. One of the fundamental principles of these guidelines is the use of semantic HTML elements that provide inherent meaning to the content, enhancing the navigation and understanding for all users, particularly those relying on assistive technologies.

The Importance of Semantic HTML

Semantic HTML elements, such as <header>, <footer>, <article>, and <nav>, convey meaning beyond mere presentation. They help screen readers interpret the structure of the webpage, allowing users to navigate it more efficiently. For example, using the <nav> element clearly defines a section of navigation links, improving accessibility for users who depend on assistive technologies.

<nav>
    <ul>
        <li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>
        <li><a href="#services">Services</a></li>
        <li><a href="#about">About Us</a></li>
        <li><a href="#contact">Contact</a></li>
    </ul>
</nav>

Using The <main> Element

The <main> element represents the primary content of a document. This is critical for screen reader users, as it allows them to bypass repeated content such as headers and footers. Proper usage ensures they can quickly jump to the core information of the page.

<body>
    <header>Website Header</header>
    <main>
        <article>
            <h1>Main Article Title</h1>
            <p>This is the main content of the article.</p>
        </article>
    </main>
    <footer>Website Footer</footer>
</body>

Implementing <section> and <article> Elements

The <section> element should be used to define thematic groups of content, while the <article> element is designated for self-contained content that could be independently distributed. This differentiation helps assistive technologies communicate the structure and context of the content more effectively.

<section>
    <h2>News Updates</h2>
    <article>
        <h3>Update Title</h3>
        <p>Details about the update.</p>
    </article>
</section>

How to Remediate Issues with WP ADA Compliance Check

Tracking down hidden structural code fragments across a massive content catalog can be daunting. Deploying a comprehensive tool like the WP ADA Compliance Check Plugin automates the process of auditing, reporting, and sometimes correcting critical web accessibility errors. This plugin is designed to help identify the use and importance of semantic HTML elements, ensuring your site meets WCAG 2.2 standards.

Automated Remediation

The plugin evaluates your database content against 83 thorough accessibility checks and automatically corrects 42 distinct error types. During deep site scans, it uncovers hidden errors and highlights the exact location of the issue, saving developers from manually hunting through the raw HTML editor.

Enforcing Pre-Publishing Safeguards

To ensure that new content modifications don’t break compliance, the plugin features robust Pre-Publishing Controls. If an editor tries to publish a page containing web accessibility errors, the plugin alerts the user or restricts publication. This content safeguard forces correction at the workflow source before the page goes live.

Getting Started

If you are not sure where to begin with web accessibility, start by using the WP ADA Compliance Check Free Web Accessibility Scanner to run a scan of your website. For a more integrated solution, WordPress website owners should also try the free WP ADA Compliance Check Basic plugin to automatically audit posts and pages for common compliance issues right from their dashboard.