Why WCAG Level A is the Minimum Accessibility Standard

If you ask most organizations whether their website is accessible, you’ll usually hear some version of, “we think so?” But in reality, most websites fall short of even the most basic accessibility requirements.

In fact, AudioEye’s 2025 Digital Accessibility Index(opens in a new tab) found that the average web page had nearly 300 violations of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Many seem relatively minor to the untrained user, like an unlabeled form field or an image that doesn’t have alternative text for people who can’t perceive it visually.

But for millions of people with disabilities, these “small” issues can make websites impossible to use, shutting them out of essential services, jobs, and education.

Many of these issues fall under WCAG Level A, the minimum set of requirements a website must meet to function for people with disabilities. If Level A isn’t in place, everything else — compliance, usability, customer experience — becomes much harder.

In this guide, we’ll break down what WCAG Level A is, why it matters, where most sites go wrong, and how to start fixing it.

What Is WCAG Level A?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines act as the global standard for digital accessibility. Written by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WCAG defines how websites should be built so people with disabilities can navigate, understand, and interact with them.

The latest version — WCAG 2.2(opens in a new tab) — is divided into three conformance levels:

• WCAG Level A, which establishes the most essential requirements

• WCAG Level AA, the benchmark most laws and organizations target

• WCAG Level AAA, the highest level, generally for specialized content

Level A is where accessibility begins, covering things like alt text for images, clearly labeled form fields, keyboard-only navigation, and predictably structured content.

These requirements don’t demand a redesign or complex tooling, just a commitment to making sure people can use the site.

If you want help understanding what’s required at each level, our WCAG checklist(opens in a new tab) breaks down Level A and Level AA success criteria in practical terms.

An chart that shows the three different levels of WCAG. Level AA has an accessibility symbol above it.

Why WCAG Level A Is the Minimum Standard

WCAG Level A represents the point where a website becomes basically usable — not just for some users, but for the broadest spectrum of disabilities. Meeting Level A ensures:

• Screen reader users can understand images, buttons, and navigation

• Keyboard-only users can move through the site without getting stuck

• People with cognitive disabilities can rely on predictable structure

• Users sensitive to motion or flashing aren’t put at risk

If a site doesn’t meet Level A, it’s excluding people — even if unintentionally.

There’s also a legal dimension. While most regulations reference Level AA as the expected goal, failing Level A can trigger risk under laws including the ADA, Section 508, AODA, and the European Accessibility Act. In many cases, a single Level A violation — like an unlabeled form field — is enough to raise concerns.

But the most compelling reason is user experience. Level A failures frequently show up in real-world complaints: forms that can’t be submitted, menus that don’t announce themselves, dashboards that assistive technology can’t interpret. Fixing Level A barriers makes a website more usable, trustworthy, and intuitive for everyone.

And once Level A is in place, reaching Level AA — and maintaining compliance long term — becomes far more achievable.

Stylized web browser on a mobile phone with various design icons surrounding it. The accessibility symbol is to the left of the phone.

Common WCAG Level A Failures

Most Level A issues are surprisingly routine — small oversights that create major consequences. The ones we see most often include:

• Missing alt text on images: Screen reader users lose essential context.

• Forms without labels: Fields become unusable with assistive technology.

• Interactive elements that don’t work with a keyboard: Buttons, menus, and widgets exclude keyboard-only users.

• Keyboard traps: Users get stuck in modals, navigation, or components.

• Flashing or rapidly blinking content: Can trigger seizures or discomfort.

The good news? These are usually among the fastest accessibility issues to fix once identified.

How to Start Achieving WCAG Level A Conformance

Reaching Level A doesn’t require rebuilding your website — it requires visibility, prioritization, and consistency.

Start with an accessibility audit. Automated scans can surface quick wins like missing alt text, but human testing is essential for catching issues automation won’t — confusing forms, broken keyboard navigation, unclear structure.

Then focus on the barriers that block access entirely:

• Forms users can’t complete

• Buttons or menus inaccessible without a mouse

• Images or controls that screen readers can’t identify

Next, give your designers, developers, and content teams a foundation in accessibility basics — headings, labels, alt text, and keyboard support. They don’t need to memorize WCAG, just understand how to avoid the most common pitfalls.

Finally, treat accessibility as ongoing work. Websites evolve, content changes, design systems update. Regular monitoring and testing help maintain Level A and pave the path toward WCAG Level AA, which removes most remaining accessibility barriers.

Level A isn’t the finish line — but it’s where meaningful progress begins.

Why Level A Shouldn’t Be the End Goal

A website can technically meet Level A and still be difficult (or impossible) for many users to navigate. That’s why most laws, procurement standards, and accessibility programs cite WCAG Level AA as the true benchmark.

Level A prevents the most obvious failures. Level AA addresses the more nuanced ones — color contrast, clear error messaging, consistent navigation, and accessible authentication. But without Level A, none of that matters. It’s the doorway to a more inclusive web.

If you’re unsure where your site stands, a free accessibility scan can uncover existing Level A issues — and help you decide what to fix first.