The Ultimate WCAG Checklist for 2026

As we move into 2026, the standard for “acceptable” accessibility is rising. With the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) tightening their digital requirements, simply having a “pretty site” is a liability.

Here is your essential checklist for WCAG 2.1 compliance and beyond.

1. Perceivable (Can they see/hear it?)

• Text Alternatives: Every non-decorative image has an alt attribute.
• Contrast Ratios: All text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 against its background.
• Captions: All videos have accurate, synchronized captions.

2. Operable (Can they use it?)

• Keyboard Only: Can a user buy a product using only the Tab and Enter keys?
• No Keyboard Traps: Users can move into—and out of—all menus and modals.
• Animation Control: Users can pause or stop any moving, blinking, or scrolling content. (Tip: Use a WCAG 2.1 compliance tool like Sienna to automate this.)

3. Understandable (Does it make sense?)

• Predictable Navigation: Menus stay in the same place across all pages.
• Error Identification: If a user misses a field in a form, the error is clearly described in text (not just a red border).

4. Robust (Does it work with tech?)

• Clean HTML: Use valid HTML to ensure how to make website accessible for screen readers is a priority for your dev team.
• Focus Visibility: There is a clear visual indicator (the “halo”) around the element currently in focus.

Why 2026 is Different

Lawsuits are increasingly targeting mobile-specific accessibility issues (orientation and touch targets). If your site isn’t optimized for a mobile screen reader, you are at risk.

Ready to start checking off these boxes? See how Sienna helps.