WCAG Audit Patterns

Comprehensive guide to auditing web content against WCAG 2.2 guidelines with actionable remediation strategies.

When to Use This Skill

•Conducting accessibility audits
•Fixing WCAG violations
•Implementing accessible components
•Preparing for accessibility lawsuits
•Meeting ADA/Section 508 requirements
•Achieving VPAT compliance

Core Concepts

1. WCAG Conformance Levels

Level	Description	Required For
A	Minimum accessibility	Legal baseline
AA	Standard conformance	Most regulations
AAA	Enhanced accessibility	Specialized needs

2. POUR Principles

code

Perceivable:  Can users perceive the content?
Operable:     Can users operate the interface?
Understandable: Can users understand the content?
Robust:       Does it work with assistive tech?

3. Common Violations by Impact

code

Critical (Blockers):
├── Missing alt text for functional images
├── No keyboard access to interactive elements
├── Missing form labels
└── Auto-playing media without controls

Serious:
├── Insufficient color contrast
├── Missing skip links
├── Inaccessible custom widgets
└── Missing page titles

Moderate:
├── Missing language attribute
├── Unclear link text
├── Missing landmarks
└── Improper heading hierarchy

Audit Checklist

Perceivable (Principle 1)

markdown

## 1.1 Text Alternatives

### 1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A)

- [ ] All images have alt text
- [ ] Decorative images have alt=""
- [ ] Complex images have long descriptions
- [ ] Icons with meaning have accessible names
- [ ] CAPTCHAs have alternatives

Check:

```html
<!-- Good -->
<img src="chart.png" alt="Sales increased 25% from Q1 to Q2" />
<img src="decorative-line.png" alt="" />

<!-- Bad -->
<img src="chart.png" />
<img src="decorative-line.png" alt="decorative line" />
```

1.2 Time-based Media

1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Level A)

• Audio has text transcript
• Video has audio description or transcript

1.2.2 Captions (Level A)

• All video has synchronized captions
• Captions are accurate and complete
• Speaker identification included

1.2.3 Audio Description (Level A)

• Video has audio description for visual content

1.3 Adaptable

1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A)

Check:

html

<!-- Heading hierarchy -->
<h1>Page Title</h1>
<h2>Section</h2>
<h3>Subsection</h3>
<h2>Another Section</h2>

<!-- Table headers -->
<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th scope="col">Name</th>
      <th scope="col">Price</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
</table>

1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence (Level A)

• Reading order is logical
• CSS positioning doesn't break order
• Focus order matches visual order

1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics (Level A)

• Instructions don't rely on shape/color alone
• "Click the red button" → "Click Submit (red button)"

1.4 Distinguishable

1.4.1 Use of Color (Level A)

• Color is not only means of conveying info
• Links distinguishable without color
• Error states not color-only

1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA)

• Text: 4.5:1 contrast ratio
• Large text (18pt+): 3:1 ratio
• UI components: 3:1 ratio

Tools: WebAIM Contrast Checker, axe DevTools

1.4.4 Resize Text (Level AA)

• Text resizes to 200% without loss
• No horizontal scrolling at 320px
• Content reflows properly

1.4.10 Reflow (Level AA)

• Content reflows at 400% zoom
• No two-dimensional scrolling
• All content accessible at 320px width

1.4.11 Non-text Contrast (Level AA)

• UI components have 3:1 contrast
• Focus indicators visible
• Graphical objects distinguishable

1.4.12 Text Spacing (Level AA)

• No content loss with increased spacing
• Line height 1.5x font size
• Paragraph spacing 2x font size
• Letter spacing 0.12x font size
• Word spacing 0.16x font size

code


### Operable (Principle 2)

```markdown
## 2.1 Keyboard Accessible

### 2.1.1 Keyboard (Level A)
- [ ] All functionality keyboard accessible
- [ ] No keyboard traps
- [ ] Tab order is logical
- [ ] Custom widgets are keyboard operable

Check:
```javascript
// Custom button must be keyboard accessible
<div role="button" tabindex="0"
     onkeydown="if(event.key === 'Enter' || event.key === ' ') activate()">

2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap (Level A)

• Focus can move away from all components
• Modal dialogs trap focus correctly
• Focus returns after modal closes

2.2 Enough Time

2.2.1 Timing Adjustable (Level A)

• Session timeouts can be extended
• User warned before timeout
• Option to disable auto-refresh

2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide (Level A)

• Moving content can be paused
• Auto-updating content can be paused
• Animations respect prefers-reduced-motion

css

@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  * {
    animation: none !important;
    transition: none !important;
  }
}

2.3 Seizures and Physical Reactions

2.3.1 Three Flashes (Level A)

• No content flashes more than 3 times/second
• Flashing area is small (<25% viewport)

2.4 Navigable

2.4.1 Bypass Blocks (Level A)

• Skip to main content link present
• Landmark regions defined
• Proper heading structure

html

<a href="#main" class="skip-link">Skip to main content</a>
<main id="main">...</main>

2.4.2 Page Titled (Level A)

• Unique, descriptive page titles
• Title reflects page content

2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A)

• Focus order matches visual order
• tabindex used correctly

2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) (Level A)

• Links make sense out of context
• No "click here" or "read more" alone

html

<!-- Bad -->
<a href="report.pdf">Click here</a>

<!-- Good -->
<a href="report.pdf">Download Q4 Sales Report (PDF)</a>

2.4.6 Headings and Labels (Level AA)

• Headings describe content
• Labels describe purpose

2.4.7 Focus Visible (Level AA)

• Focus indicator visible on all elements
• Custom focus styles meet contrast

css

:focus {
  outline: 3px solid #005fcc;
  outline-offset: 2px;
}

2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Level AA) - WCAG 2.2

• Focused element not fully hidden
• Sticky headers don't obscure focus

code


### Understandable (Principle 3)

```markdown
## 3.1 Readable

### 3.1.1 Language of Page (Level A)
- [ ] HTML lang attribute set
- [ ] Language correct for content

```html
<html lang="en">

3.1.2 Language of Parts (Level AA)

• Language changes marked

html

<p>The French word <span lang="fr">bonjour</span> means hello.</p>

3.2 Predictable

3.2.1 On Focus (Level A)

• No context change on focus alone
• No unexpected popups on focus

3.2.2 On Input (Level A)

• No automatic form submission
• User warned before context change

3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (Level AA)

• Navigation consistent across pages
• Repeated components same order

3.2.4 Consistent Identification (Level AA)

• Same functionality = same label
• Icons used consistently

3.3 Input Assistance

3.3.1 Error Identification (Level A)

• Errors clearly identified
• Error message describes problem
• Error linked to field

html

<input aria-describedby="email-error" aria-invalid="true" />
<span id="email-error" role="alert">Please enter valid email</span>

3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (Level A)

• All inputs have visible labels
• Required fields indicated
• Format hints provided

3.3.3 Error Suggestion (Level AA)

• Errors include correction suggestion
• Suggestions are specific

3.3.4 Error Prevention (Level AA)

• Legal/financial forms reversible
• Data checked before submission
• User can review before submit

code


### Robust (Principle 4)

```markdown
## 4.1 Compatible

### 4.1.1 Parsing (Level A) - Obsolete in WCAG 2.2
- [ ] Valid HTML (good practice)
- [ ] No duplicate IDs
- [ ] Complete start/end tags

### 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A)
- [ ] Custom widgets have accessible names
- [ ] ARIA roles correct
- [ ] State changes announced

```html
<!-- Accessible custom checkbox -->
<div role="checkbox"
     aria-checked="false"
     tabindex="0"
     aria-labelledby="label">
</div>
<span id="label">Accept terms</span>

4.1.3 Status Messages (Level AA)

• Status updates announced
• Live regions used correctly

html

<div role="status" aria-live="polite">3 items added to cart</div>

<div role="alert" aria-live="assertive">Error: Form submission failed</div>

code


## Automated Testing

```javascript
// axe-core integration
const axe = require('axe-core');

async function runAccessibilityAudit(page) {
  await page.addScriptTag({ path: require.resolve('axe-core') });

  const results = await page.evaluate(async () => {
    return await axe.run(document, {
      runOnly: {
        type: 'tag',
        values: ['wcag2a', 'wcag2aa', 'wcag21aa', 'wcag22aa']
      }
    });
  });

  return {
    violations: results.violations,
    passes: results.passes,
    incomplete: results.incomplete
  };
}

// Playwright test example
test('should have no accessibility violations', async ({ page }) => {
  await page.goto('/');
  const results = await runAccessibilityAudit(page);

  expect(results.violations).toHaveLength(0);
});

bash

# CLI tools
npx @axe-core/cli https://example.com
npx pa11y https://example.com
lighthouse https://example.com --only-categories=accessibility

Remediation Patterns

Fix: Missing Form Labels

html

<!-- Before -->
<input type="email" placeholder="Email" />

<!-- After: Option 1 - Visible label -->
<label for="email">Email address</label>
<input id="email" type="email" />

<!-- After: Option 2 - aria-label -->
<input type="email" aria-label="Email address" />

<!-- After: Option 3 - aria-labelledby -->
<span id="email-label">Email</span>
<input type="email" aria-labelledby="email-label" />

Fix: Insufficient Color Contrast

css

/* Before: 2.5:1 contrast */
.text {
  color: #767676;
}

/* After: 4.5:1 contrast */
.text {
  color: #595959;
}

/* Or add background */
.text {
  color: #767676;
  background: #000;
}

Fix: Keyboard Navigation

javascript

// Make custom element keyboard accessible
class AccessibleDropdown extends HTMLElement {
  connectedCallback() {
    this.setAttribute("tabindex", "0");
    this.setAttribute("role", "combobox");
    this.setAttribute("aria-expanded", "false");

    this.addEventListener("keydown", (e) => {
      switch (e.key) {
        case "Enter":
        case " ":
          this.toggle();
          e.preventDefault();
          break;
        case "Escape":
          this.close();
          break;
        case "ArrowDown":
          this.focusNext();
          e.preventDefault();
          break;
        case "ArrowUp":
          this.focusPrevious();
          e.preventDefault();
          break;
      }
    });
  }
}

Best Practices

Do's

•Start early - Accessibility from design phase
•Test with real users - Disabled users provide best feedback
•Automate what you can - 30-50% issues detectable
•Use semantic HTML - Reduces ARIA needs
•Document patterns - Build accessible component library

Don'ts

•Don't rely only on automated testing - Manual testing required
•Don't use ARIA as first solution - Native HTML first
•Don't hide focus outlines - Keyboard users need them
•Don't disable zoom - Users need to resize
•Don't use color alone - Multiple indicators needed

WCAG Audit Patterns

When to Use This Skill

Core Concepts

1. WCAG Conformance Levels

2. POUR Principles

3. Common Violations by Impact

Audit Checklist

Perceivable (Principle 1)

1.2 Time-based Media

1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Level A)

1.2.2 Captions (Level A)

1.2.3 Audio Description (Level A)

1.3 Adaptable

1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A)

1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence (Level A)

1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics (Level A)

1.4 Distinguishable

1.4.1 Use of Color (Level A)

1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA)

1.4.4 Resize Text (Level AA)

1.4.10 Reflow (Level AA)

1.4.11 Non-text Contrast (Level AA)

1.4.12 Text Spacing (Level AA)

2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap (Level A)

2.2 Enough Time

2.2.1 Timing Adjustable (Level A)

2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide (Level A)

2.3 Seizures and Physical Reactions

2.3.1 Three Flashes (Level A)

2.4 Navigable

2.4.1 Bypass Blocks (Level A)

2.4.2 Page Titled (Level A)

2.4.3 Focus Order (Level A)

2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) (Level A)

2.4.6 Headings and Labels (Level AA)

2.4.7 Focus Visible (Level AA)

2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Level AA) - WCAG 2.2

3.1.2 Language of Parts (Level AA)

3.2 Predictable

3.2.1 On Focus (Level A)

3.2.2 On Input (Level A)

3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (Level AA)

3.2.4 Consistent Identification (Level AA)

3.3 Input Assistance

3.3.1 Error Identification (Level A)

3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (Level A)

3.3.3 Error Suggestion (Level AA)

3.3.4 Error Prevention (Level AA)

4.1.3 Status Messages (Level AA)

Remediation Patterns

Fix: Missing Form Labels

Fix: Insufficient Color Contrast

Fix: Keyboard Navigation

Best Practices

Do's

Don'ts

Resources