At NewCasinos, we want to create an inclusive environment where every user and player can find the information they need, compare the best online casinos, and make the best decisions regarding online gaming. This is why we are dedicated to creating a website accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities. We want to meet the highest accessibility standards, and our team is continuously working hard to create a platform for everyone. We also love to hear the thoughts of our users, especially those with disabilities. We welcome your feedback and suggestions so that we can create an experience suitable for everyone.
WCAG Explained
WCAG is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which act as a rulebook for websites. These guidelines detail how companies can create websites that are accessible to everyone so that people with disabilities can also enjoy the content and their user experience. These international guidelines cover various aspects, which we will look at later.
In the most recent update of the WCAG2.2, 13 detailed guidelines are broken into 4 main points:
- Perceivable looks at how the information is presented and whether itβs presented in a way that can be understood.
- Operability refers to using the website with different tools like screen readers and keyboards.
- Understandable looks at the usage of explicit language and design, making it easy for everyone to use and navigate the website.
- Robust refers to the website working with different technology and hardware like screen readers and assistive technology.
There are 3 compliance levels, starting at level A and going to AAA.
- Level A is the most basic level of accessibility. Websites meeting Level A have addressed the most critical barriers, but some users may still face significant obstacles.
- Level AA is the target level for most websites and is considered acceptable. Level AA addresses a broader range of issues and makes websites usable for a larger group of people with disabilities.
- Level AAA is the highest level of accessibility and requires significant effort to achieve. Level AAA provides the best experience for people with disabilities.
Your Guide to WCAG Levels A, AA, and AAA
There are 3 levels of accessibility, which range from basic to optimal, and with each level, the standards become higher. Achieving these levels shows that a website is dedicated to providing accessible content and offers an inclusive experience to all within the digital space.
We will examine these levels more closely to understand what they provide users and how they change accessibility so everyone can understand a website.
WCAG Level A: The Foundation of Web Accessibility
Level A is the most basic web accessibility level. It covers the most basic requirements for ensuring that people with disabilities can perceive, operate, and understand the content.
Text Alternatives
Text alternatives, often called alt text, provide a text-based description of images, charts, graphs, etc. This allows screen readers to convey the information in a way the user can understand.
Time-Based Media
Audio and video content can be inaccessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Providing text transcripts (or captions for videos) ensures everyone can access the information presented in time-based media.
Adaptable Content
People with different disabilities might need to customise how they view web pages. Adaptable content allows users to adjust the layout, font size, or colours without losing any information or functionality. It also benefits users with cognitive impairments who might prefer a simpler presentation of content.
Distinguishable Content
Ensuring sufficient colour contrast, clear separation of foreground and background elements, clear headings and labels and avoiding content that flashes or flickers can help people with visual impairments or those prone to seizures access content safely and comfortably.
Keyboard Accessible
Making all website functionality accessible via keyboard allows people with motor disabilities or those who prefer keyboard navigation to use the site effectively.
Going Beyond the Basics: WCAG Level AA Accessibility
WCAG Level AA is a more advanced level of web accessibility that builds upon Level A requirements, further enhancing the usability of web content for people with disabilities.
Contrast
The contrast between the text and the background should be sufficient to assist those with low vision or colour blindness and ensure better readability. For standard text, the contrast ratio needs to be at least 4.5:1, and for larger text, it needs to be at least 3:1.
Resizable Text
Users should be able to adjust the text up to 200% without assistive technology and reduced quality of content or functionality. The text must be able to be resized without causing horizontal scrolling or overlapping content, ensuring that it remains legible and usable.
Multiple Ways to Navigate
Users should be able to navigate the website differently to accommodate different preferences and abilities. These tools can include search bars, navigation menus, sitemaps, etc.
Headings and Labels
The website’s content needs to be strategically divided to make it more understandable. Using clear and descriptive headings categorised by H1, H2, etc. and labels that clearly describe elements like buttons and form fields, those who rely on screen readers can easily locate and jump to the sections they are looking for.
Focus Visible
The keyboard navigation can be further enhanced by showing which element currently has focus. This provides a clear visual indication, such as an outline or colour change, of where the next interaction will occur.
Error Identification
Providing a seamless experience is essential, especially for those with disabilities. Error identification refers to pinpointing the error with clear messaging and providing actionable solutions that make the website more intuitive.
High Expectations: Achieving WCAG Level AAA Accessibility
WCAG Level AAA represents the highest standard of accessibility. Level AAA creates an online experience that is truly inclusive for everyone, including individuals with significant disabilities
Sign Language
Access to audio content should include sign language to assist those who might be deaf or hard of hearing. Sign language should be included in all pre-recorded audio content, ensuring that the meaning and intent are accurately conveyed.
Extended Audio Descriptions
This accessibility feature goes beyond just describing the visual action. It offers additional context for video content to make it more accessible to those who are blind or have low vision. Extended audio descriptions can include expressions, emotions, and scene changes.
Enhanced Contrast
Enhancing the contrast of all text to 7:1 makes it easier for people with low vision or colour blindness to read.
Text Spacing
This feature allows users to adjust the spacing between lines, letters, and words to ensure the text is more readable for those with dyslexia or other reading difficulties. Ideally, users should be able to adjust text spacing by 1.5 times the font size for line height, by 0.12 times the font size for letter spacing, and by 0.16 times the font size for word spacing without losing content or functionality.
Simpler Language
Simpler language should be used to assist those who may have a cognitive disorder or who do not speak the language fluently. A version of the content should be provided that avoids complex structures and wording.
Consistent Navigation
The website’s navigation should be consistent throughout to make life easier for those with cognitive or learning disabilities. Consistency means that the navigation should appear in the same place and offer the same function throughout the site.
Avoid Interruptions
Users should be able to control and avoid interruptions such as pop-ups or automatic media playing, which could be disorienting and distracting. They should also be able to pause, stop, or hide information that could be considered an interruption.
Our WCAG Accessibility Efforts
At NewCasinos, we have implemented accessibility measures and continuously strive for full accessibility. So, why do we not yet have the WCAG badge? Our team is implementing measures throughout our accessibility journey to obtain it. We aim to become WCAG 2.1 AAA level compliant, the highest level of accessibility compliance, and we are applying all our efforts to get there.
We are also open to user feedback. If you encounter any accessibility issues, please contact us.
Integrating Accessibility Features at NewCasino
At NewCasino, we understand that having accessible design features is essential. That is why we are working towards integrating these features on our website so that we become more accessible to those with disabilities.
Screen Reader Compatibility
At NewCasinos, we will soon be compatible with screen readers through the use of ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications), which will assist those with visual impairments in accessing our site.
Keyboard Navigation
Another feature we are working on is keyboard navigation, allowing users to interact with and navigate our site using only their keyboard. Once the feature is in place, users will be able to use keyboard controls like Enter, Tab, and the arrow keys to browse our site.
Text-to-Speech Support
Through the use of text-to-speech options and the integration of third-party tools, users can have their writing converted to speech, which will assist those with visual impairments, reading difficulties, and so on.
Closed Captions and Transcripts
At the moment, NewCasinos is working on closed captions and transcripts for videos. This will ensure that everyone can understand and access all videos at NewCasinos.
Adjustable Text Size and Fonts
Readability is a key feature for a website, and to ensure that ours is accessible to everyone, we are working on adjustable text sizes and fonts. Users will be able to increase the text size and change the font to be more readable.
Colour and Contrast Options
In line with readability and to assist those with visual impairments or colour blindness, we want to give users the option of changing the colour settings of our site and even changing the contrast so that it is easier to read.
Accessible Forms
We are improving our forms, such as our contact forms, so they are readily accessible and user-friendly. We will provide clear labels and proper form field markings and assist with form error identification.
Skip Navigation Links
With skip navigation, users will be able to bypass content and navigate directly to the desired section, making the site more accessible, intuitive, and user-friendly.
Accessible PDFs and Documents
We will aim to make our PDFs and documents more accessible to those with disabilities so that everyone can understand them. We will implement proper structure through headings, tables, etc., and provide alt text for images, descriptive links, etc.
Consistent Layout and Navigation
With accessibility in mind, we will be redesigning our site to ensure that the navigation is consistent throughout so that all users are familiar with the layout, making it easier to navigate and browse. Our layout will also remain consistent so that page structures and visual design elements help predict where the information is located.
Accessible Design Practices
At NewCasinos, we are dedicated to creating a site that is accessible to everyone. Through our careful redesign, we will closely examine accessibility features such as contrast colours, fonts, sizing, images, and navigation so that our site meets the highest standards and caters to everyone regardless of their abilities.
User Testing and Feedback
We want to ensure that we hit the mark, so we actively engage users with disabilities, gather their feedback, and make the necessary changes to our website to ensure it meets their requirements. If you have any feedback or wish to share your thoughts on accessibility and how we can improve, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our contact page.