Web accessibility just crossed a major milestone. In 2025, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 were officially approved as an ISO standard (ISO/IEC 40500:2025). This update signals a global shift: accessibility is no longer optional; it is a formal, internationally recognised requirement.
For businesses, eCommerce stores, developers, and digital leaders, this change affects compliance, design decisions, and long-term accessibility strategies. Whether you already follow WCAG or are just starting, this update matters.
This guide explains:
- What WCAG 2.2 ISO approval means
- Key differences between WCAG 2.2 and WCAG 2.1
- Global legal and regulatory impacts
- How WCAG 2.2 connects to the upcoming WCAG 3.0
- Practical steps to stay compliant
- Helpful tools to support accessibility improvements
Let’s break it down simply and practically.
Why WCAG Became an ISO Standard (and Why It Matters)
WCAG sets the rules for creating accessible digital experiences for people with disabilities, including:
- Blind and low-vision users
- Deaf and hard-of-hearing users
- Individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities
- People with motor or mobility challenges
- Users who rely on assistive tech such as screen readers and braille devices
With WCAG 2.2 now recognised as ISO/IEC 40500:2025, accessibility has moved from a recommended practice to a global compliance standard.
ISO approval means WCAG 2.2 is now:
- Officially recognised across global industries
- Used as a legal benchmark by many governments
- Required for public sector procurement in multiple countries
- Expected for enterprise-level compliance worldwide
This creates global consistency: organisations can now follow one internationally accepted framework, no matter where they operate.
What’s New in WCAG 2.2? Key Improvements You Should Know
WCAG 2.2 builds on WCAG 2.1 by strengthening support for:
- Users with low vision
- Keyboard-only users
- People with cognitive disabilities
- Mobile and touch accessibility
- Secure authentication without memory burden
New and revised success criteria focus on making websites:
- Easier to navigate
- More readable across devices
- Friendlier for assistive technology
- Accessible on mobile and touch-based interfaces
Key Enhancements in WCAG 2.2 Include:
| Category | New Focus |
| 👁️ Low-Vision | Stronger contrast + adjustable text & spacing |
| ⌨️ Keyboard Access | Clearer focus indicators and no keyboard traps |
| 📱 Mobile Usability | Minimum target size rules for touch elements |
| 🧠 Cognitive Support | Simpler authentication (no memory-only login) |
| 🔐 Secure Access | Alternative login options (e.g., device unlock, password manager) |
How WCAG 2.2 ISO Approval Impacts Laws & Compliance
🇺🇸 United States — ADA & DOJ
WCAG is already used to evaluate ADA compliance. With ISO approval, WCAG 2.2 will become the default enforcement standard.
🇪🇺 European Union — European Accessibility Act (EAA)
The EAA deadline is June 2025, and WCAG 2.2 aligns closely with these requirements. Businesses serving EU markets must act now.
🇮🇳 India — New Accessibility Standard (IS 17802)
India adopted accessibility rules aligned with WCAG to support digital inclusion under its IT Act.
Other regions adopting WCAG standards
| Region | Regulation |
| UK | Equality Act accessibility duty |
| Canada | AODA & ACA compliance rules |
| Australia | Disabilities Discrimination Act |
| Middle East | Growing accessibility legislation |
Accessibility compliance is now a global digital business requirement.
WCAG 2.2 and the Path to WCAG 3.0
WCAG 3.0 is currently in draft mode and will eventually replace the 2.x series, but not anytime soon.
WCAG 3.0 goals:
- Cover web, apps, software, VR/AR, and AI systems
- Introduce a more flexible scoring system
- Improve guidance for cognitive accessibility
For now, WCAG 2.2 is the active international standard, and WCAG 3.0 will build on it.
Key Accessibility Trends Shaping 2025 and Beyond
Accessibility standards are not just evolving; they are accelerating. As WCAG 2.2 becomes ISO-approved and WCAG 3.0 development continues, organisations must prepare for a more inclusive digital era driven by AI, mobility, and cognitive-first design.
AI & Assistive Technology Innovation
Artificial intelligence is reshaping accessibility by improving:
- Real-time page scanning and issue detection
- Voice-based navigation and conversation interfaces
- Screen-reader intelligence and OCR recognition
- AI-generated accessibility descriptions (images, charts, PDFs)
- Predictive UX adaptation based on user needs
Example: Some browsers and screen readers now auto-describe unlabeled images using AI — a major step toward browsing without barriers.
Mobile Accessibility Becomes Priority #1
With mobile traffic now exceeding 60% of global browsing, accessibility standards increasingly address:
- Larger, finger-friendly touch targets
- Gesture alternatives for users who cannot tap or swipe
- Screen reader and haptic feedback improvements
- High contrast mobile UI and zoom stability
- Voice-based and keyboard-free interactions
Recent user lawsuits have emphasized mobile barriers, pushing brands to audit mobile UX as seriously as desktop.
Growing Focus on Cognitive Accessibility
WCAG 2.2 and the WCAG 3.0 draft emphasize easier and more human-friendly digital experiences, including:
- Simple interfaces and clear navigation
- Plain language and structured content
- Predictable layouts and reduced distractions
- Assistive prompts and guided interactions
- Reduced cognitive load through consistent design
This shift helps users with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and memory challenges, and improves usability for all users.
Inclusive and Friction-Free Authentication
Traditional logins can challenge users with cognitive or motor disabilities. WCAG 2.2 promotes authentication that avoids memory burden:
- Password managers
- Device biometrics (Face ID, fingerprint)
- Email or SMS authentication flows
- Passkeys and one-tap login options
- CAPTCHA alternatives
Practical Steps to Align With WCAG 2.2 After ISO Approval
Achieving WCAG 2.2 compliance doesn’t require a full redesign, but it does demand structured, ongoing action. With WCAG 2.2 now ISO-approved, organisations must move from “accessibility awareness” to repeatable compliance workflows.
1) Run an Accessibility Audit
Start by identifying issues through a mix of automated scans and human testing.
Check for:
- Missing alt text & label issues
- Keyboard traps or navigation gaps
- Colour contrast failures
- Focus indicators & outline issues
- Mobile touch-target accessibility
Automation finds fast-fix issues, manual testing catches real-world barriers.
Tip: Test with a screen reader (NVDA / VoiceOver) and keyboard only.
2) Prioritise High-Impact Fixes First
Focus on elements that directly affect usability and legal compliance:
| Priority | Area | Why It Matters |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Keyboard navigation | Required for motor-impaired and screen-reader users |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Focus visibility | Helps users track position on screen |
| ⭐⭐⭐ | Colour contrast & text readability | Supports users with low vision & colour blindness |
| ⭐⭐⭐ | Accessible forms | Reduces checkout drop-offs and frustration |
| ⭐⭐ | Alt text & ARIA | Improves screen-reader experience & SEO |
Start with core UX journeys — homepage, navigation, product pages, cart & checkout.
3) Enable User-Controlled Accessibility
Modern compliance isn’t just about meeting rules; it’s about letting users customise their experience, which aligns directly with WCAG 2.2 and future WCAG 3.0 direction.
Users should be able to adjust:
- Text size & spacing
- Colour contrast modes (dark/light/high-contrast)
- Cursor size & focus styles
- Reading tools (mask, line focus)
- Motion & animation controls
Accessibility Assistant gives users these controls instantly, without code changes.
This supports visually-impaired, dyslexic, cognitive-impaired, and ageing users in real-time.
4) Document & Maintain Your Accessibility Roadmap
Compliance is now continuous, not one-time.
Add these to your workflow:
- Publish an accessibility statement
- Schedule quarterly accessibility audits
- Audit after major design or feature updates
- Train internal teams on accessibility basics
- Keep a change log of accessibility fixes
ISO-approved standards make documentation even more important for enterprise, SaaS, and eCommerce brands.
Compliance Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated
With the right approach, your business can stay ahead of WCAG 2.2 and future WCAG 3.0 standards without slowing development.
Accessibility Assistant helps you:
- Run audits
- Improve accessibility experience instantly
- Provide user-side accessibility controls
- Support WCAG & ADA requirements across Shopify, WordPress, and Wix
👉 Get started: Run a free accessibility check today and see what you need to fix next.
Helpful Tools for WCAG 2.2 Compliance
| Tool | Purpose |
| Wave | Identify major accessibility issues |
| WebAIM Contrast Checker | Test contrast ratios |
| Lighthouse | Basic accessibility score |
| Screen readers | Manual testing |
| Accessibility Assistant | On-page accessibility features + user controls |
Tip: Start with automated checks, then verify manually.
Accessibility Assistant & WCAG 2.2 Compliance
Accessibility Assistant helps website owners:
- Support contrast adjustments
- Enable large cursor & text features
- Allow keyboard-only navigation
- Improve readability tools
- Provide low-vision & dyslexia modes
- Support 100+ languages
- Deliver on-page assistive controls without coding
It does not replace full WCAG remediation, but it fast-tracks accessibility and improves user experience immediately.
Final Thoughts
WCAG 2.2 earning ISO approval marks a new era in digital accessibility. This update strengthens global enforcement and pushes businesses to adopt inclusive, ethical, and legally compliant digital experiences.
By taking action now, you can:
- Reduce legal risk
- Improve usability for every user
- Build trust and brand credibility
- Prepare early for WCAG 3.0
- Reach wider audiences, including users with disabilities
Start improving accessibility today
Install Accessibility Assistant on Shopify, WordPress, or Wix, and make your website welcoming for everyone.