At Kanopi Studios, we believe everyone should be able to access the web. That’s why every site we build meets WCAG 2.2 AA standards — the level most commonly required by legal and industry benchmarks. But some organizations go further, aiming for AAA-level compliance, the highest standard for web accessibility.
Let’s break down the difference between AA and AAA, and what it really means for your site.
Accessibility Levels, Simplified
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define three levels of compliance:
- A (Minimum): Basic accessibility; some barriers still exist
- AA (Mid-range): Eliminates most common barriers for users with disabilities
- AAA (Highest): The most stringent and inclusive level
AA is typically the legal requirement (for example, under the ADA in the U.S. and AODA in Canada). AAA is aspirational—it’s not legally required, but it shows a deep commitment to inclusivity.
WCAG 2.2: Important Updates
In 2023, WCAG 2.2 became the current accessibility standard. Kanopi now ensures compliance with the new AA criteria, including:
- Focus Not Obscured (2.4.11): Focus indicators must remain visible even if sticky headers or popups are active.
- Dragging Movements (2.5.7): Interfaces that require dragging must also allow simple click/tap actions.
- Target Size (2.5.8): Tap targets must be large enough for users to tap without precision.
- Consistent Help (3.2.6): If a site offers help options, they must appear in the same location across pages.
- Redundant Entry (3.3.7): Users should not have to re-enter information already provided.
- Accessible Authentication (3.3.8): Logging in should not require memory tests or complex puzzles
Content-Specific AA vs. AAA Examples
Language Clarity
- AA: Avoid jargon or explain your thought.
- Example: “Apply via the portal” → “Apply using the online form.”
- Example: “Apply via the portal” → “Apply using the online form.”
- AAA: Use plain language. Keep reading level at or below lower secondary education.
- Example: Instead of “Your application status has been updated,” use “We’ve made a change to your application.”
- Example: Instead of “Your application status has been updated,” use “We’ve made a change to your application.”
Headings & Structure
- AA: Use clear, descriptive headings and follow a logical hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3).
- AAA: Make sure each section heading provides context even if read out of order.
- Example: Avoid vague headings like “More Info.” Use “How to Submit Your Application.”
- Example: Avoid vague headings like “More Info.” Use “How to Submit Your Application.”
Link Text
- AA: Links must describe their purpose.
- Example: “Learn more about our services” rather than “Click here”.
- Example: “Learn more about our services” rather than “Click here”.
- AAA: Link text must make sense out of context.
- Example: “Read our article on reducing energy bills” rather than “Read more.”
- Example: “Read our article on reducing energy bills” rather than “Read more.”
Abbreviations
- AA: Explain abbreviations at first use.
- Example: “The American Psychological Association (APA)…”
- Example: “The American Psychological Association (APA)…”
- AAA: Provide a glossary or allow users to toggle definitions.
- Example: Include hover or inline definitions for recurring technical terms.
- Example: Include hover or inline definitions for recurring technical terms.
Reading Level
- AA: No strict reading level requirement.
- AAA: Content must be written at a lower secondary education reading level, or an alternative version must be provided.
- Tip: Use tools like Hemingway or Readable to check Flesch-Kincaid scores.
- Tip: Use tools like Hemingway or Readable to check Flesch-Kincaid scores.
Error Prevention in Forms
- AA: Forms must identify input errors clearly and provide suggestions.
- AAA: In addition to AA, the form must allow users to review, correct, and confirm before submitting. This is especially true for irreversible or legal submissions.
Additional AAA Examples Relevant to Writers
Supplementing Complex Content
- AA: Provide straightforward information.
- AAA: Include illustrations, charts, or summaries to clarify complex text.
- Example: Add a one-sentence summary at the top of a complex page.
- Example: Add a one-sentence summary at the top of a complex page.
Timing & Disruption
- AA: Warn users before timed events or auto-refresh.
- AAA: Eliminate time limits where possible or extend them to at least 20 hours.
- Relevance: Writers might need to flag if content is time-sensitive or might auto-refresh.
- Relevance: Writers might need to flag if content is time-sensitive or might auto-refresh.
Sign Language and Audio Alternatives
- AA: Provide captions for videos.
- AAA: Provide sign language interpretation and audio descriptions for all multimedia.
TL;DR: Quick Checklist for Writers
| Element | Level AA | Level AAA |
| Language | Clear and concise | Plain language, lower reading level |
| Headings | Descriptive and sequential | Standalone meaningful, always contextual |
| Links | Purpose clear | Meaningful even when read alone |
| Abbreviations | Defined on first use | Full glossary or inline definitions |
| Readability | No requirement | 9th-grade level or lower |
| Multimedia content | Captions | Sign language + audio descriptions |
AAA in Action: Kanopi Projects That Go the Extra Mile
While all Kanopi websites meet AA standards, we’ve had the honor of partnering with organizations who wanted to go all the way to AAA. Two great examples:
- San Francisco Public Library: A city institution serving a wide, diverse population. Accessibility isn’t optional — it’s essential. This site goes above and beyond to ensure everyone, regardless of ability, can explore the library’s vast resources.
- National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI): As an advocacy organization for people with vision loss, NCBI’s site had to meet the highest accessibility standards. Together, we built a site that’s fully AAA-compliant, intuitive, and inclusive.
Accessibility Is Not One-and-Done
Whether you’re aiming for AA or AAA, it’s important to know: accessibility isn’t just about design and code. It requires:
- Training content editors: Content can break accessibility if it’s not entered thoughtfully. We train teams to keep content compliant from day one.
- Organizational commitment: True accessibility takes buy-in across your organization — from leadership to marketing to content contributors.
Final Thought
Accessibility is a journey, and we’re here to guide you at every step. Kanopi is great at web accessibility. Whether your goal is to meet AA or reach for AAA, we build with empathy, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability in mind.
Need help understanding where your site stands or how to improve it? Let’s talk.
