Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.0 are the basis for Mizzou’s standards. They are widely accepted, international standards for accessibility that were developed by World Wide Web Consortium through intense research and detailed processes.

In addition, the refresh of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, a law governing standards for electronic and information technology which applies to Mizzou, released a final rule in January 2017 which requires all public institutions to conform to WCAG 2.0’s A and AA standards.

There are four guiding principles for accessible design within WCAG 2.0: perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. Within those four guiding principles there are three levels of success criteria to meet the guidelines: A (the lowest), AA (the moderate) and AAA (the highest).