How to implement WCAG in an organisation?

Implementing WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards in an organisation is not only a legal requirement, but also a key element in building inclusive and user-friendly digital solutions. These requirements apply not only to the banking sector, but also to public administration, e-commerce, education or healthcare. In this article, we will discuss the key challenges and best practices for implementing WCAG in organisations, regardless of industry.

Why implement WCAG?

Legal obligations and regulations

Directive 2019/882 of the European Parliament and the Council (EU), known as the European Accessibility Act, requires organisations to bring their digital services in line with WCAG standards. In Poland, these regulations will be fully applicable from 28 June 2025.

Larger audience

Ensuring digital accessibility means that websites and applications are friendly to people with disabilities, seniors or users using mobile devices.

Improved UX and SEO

Accessible websites are more readable, intuitive and better rated by search engines, which can improve their position in search results.

Key challenges in implementing WCAG

Lack of awareness and knowledge

Many UX/UI designers and developers lack sufficient knowledge of digital accessibility. Solution: Organise training, workshops and provide educational material for IT and business teams.

Technical complexity of implementation

Adapting existing systems to WCAG can be costly and time-consuming, especially with older IT infrastructure. Solution: Gradual implementation of changes, use of automated accessibility audit tools and iterative patching.

Lack of uniform assessment criteria

Different interpretations of the standards can lead to ambiguous assessments of accessibility levels. Solution: Establish uniform testing procedures and employ certified auditors.

Decision-making problems

The large number of potential solutions means that choosing the optimal implementation methods can be difficult. Solution: Use Agile methodology and ongoing consultation with WCAG experts.

Costs and resources

Transforming existing systems involves spending on new technology and training teams. Solution: Budget planning, use of off-the-shelf WCAG-compliant components and gradual implementation of changes.

Best practices for implementing WCAG in organisations

Accessibility audit

Start by reviewing the current state of digital accessibility. You can use tools such as:

• WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)
• Lighthouse (Google)
• Axe Accessibility Checker

Prioritisation

Not everything needs to be improved immediately. Identify the most important barriers and eliminate them in stages.

UI and UX adaptation

Examples of good practice:

• Contrast between text and background of at least 4.5:1
• Keyboard support for all interface elements
• Adding alternative texts to images

Testing with users

Inviting people with different types of disabilities to test websites and applications allows problems to be detected early.

Training for teams

Any employee dealing with digital content should have a basic understanding of accessibility.

Cyclical audits and monitoring

Digital accessibility is a process, not a one-off action. Regular reviews and updates will help maintain compliance with standards.

Examples of implementations in various industries

• E-commerce: Amazon and Allegro have adapted their interfaces for use by screen readers and improved keyboard navigation.
• Education: Universities are implementing subtitling for online lectures and enabling access to materials in accessible formats for the visually impaired.
• Public administration: City halls are making documents available in WCAG-compliant formats and enabling online services.

Summary

Implementing WCAG in an organisation is a process that requires IT, UX/UI and business teams to work together. While it may seem complicated, proper planning and gradual implementation of accessibility standards allows for long-term benefits such as increased audience, improved user experience and regulatory compliance. It makes sense to start the process of making websites and applications WCAG-compliant now to ensure accessibility for everyone.

How do Krakweb and ICEberg CMS 5 support the implementation of WCAG?

Krakweb - a comprehensive approach to digital accessibility

Krakweb is a company specialising in the design, implementation and optimisation of websites, including in terms of WCAG accessibility standards. With its experience and specialised tools, Krakweb helps organisations adapt their websites and applications to legal requirements and user expectations.

How does Krakweb support organisations in WCAG implementation?

1. Digital accessibility audit
   Krakweb carries out comprehensive analyses of websites for compliance with WCAG 2.1 standards. The audit covers both technical aspects and usability for people with different types of disabilities.

2. Designing accessible interfaces
   The company places great emphasis on creating user-friendly interfaces, taking into account aspects such as appropriate colour contrast, keyboard support or accessibility for assistive technologies (e.g. screen readers).

3. Optimisation of existing websites
   Cooperation with Krakweb allows the adaptation of already functioning websites to WCAG requirements through a gradual implementation of changes, which minimises the costs and time needed for implementation.

4. Training and consultation
   Krakweb offers training for IT and UX/UI teams, helping to build awareness of digital accessibility and providing practical guidance for implementing changes.

ICEberg CMS 5 - a tool to support WCAG compliance

ICEberg CMS 5 is a state-of-the-art content management system (CMS) developed by Krakweb that provides built-in mechanisms to facilitate the implementation and maintenance of WCAG standards.

Key features of ICEberg CMS 5 supporting accessibility:

1. Automatic accessibility testing
   The system has built-in tools to analyse content for WCAG compliance, allowing potential problems to be quickly detected and eliminated at the content creation stage.

2. Generation of accessible content
   ICEberg CMS 5 allows alternative attributes to be automatically added to images, making it easier for users using screen readers to understand the content on the page.

3. Keyboarding and navigation
   The system allows the navigation structure to be customised so that all interface elements are fully accessible via the keyboard.

4. Responsiveness and scalability
   ICEberg CMS 5 ensures that the pages adapt to different devices and resolutions, a key element of digital accessibility.

5. WCAG-compliant modules and components
   The system offers ready-made UI components that meet WCAG requirements, which significantly speeds up the implementation of accessible solutions.

Summary

Implementing WCAG does not have to be a difficult and costly process if an organisation uses the right tools and technology partners. Krakweb, with its experience and advanced ICEberg CMS 5, enables the effective adaptation of digital websites to accessibility standards. With a comprehensive approach including audits, optimisation and education, organisations can effectively implement WCAG and ensure that their services are accessible to all users.