WCAG AA Compliant Website

Blumin Brand and Digital collaborated with Hayle Town Council to design and develop a new website that not only revitalised the council's online presence but also ensured compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA.

Brand Refresh

Due to the loss of high-quality assets, Blumin recreated Hayle Town Council's logo, ensuring a consistent and professional visual identity.

Website Development:

The website was built on the WordPress platform, selected for its flexibility and user-friendly content management capabilities.

Accessibility Compliance:

Adherence to WCAG Level AA guidelines was a priority, ensuring the website is accessible and inclusive to all users, including those with disabilities. ‍

User Experience Focus:

The design prioritised user experience, incorporating intuitive navigation and essential features such as facilities and event management widgets.

What is WCAG AA?

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is an internationally recognised standard for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities. The guidelines are developed by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

WCAG is divided into three levels of conformance:

• Level A (minimum accessibility)
  

• Level AA (recommended for most organisations, including public sector websites)
  

• Level AAA (highest accessibility, rarely required in full)
  

WCAG AA is the mid-level standard and is often required by government bodies, councils, and public sector organisations to ensure accessibility for people with a wide range of disabilities. It focuses on improving access for users with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments.

How WCAG AA Compliance was ensured for Hayle Town Council’s Website

Blumin followed four key WCAG principles, ensuring the website was:

1) Perceivable – Content must be presented in ways that all users can perceive.

• Text alternatives for images (alt text for screen readers).
  

• Sufficient colour contrast (e.g., dark text on a light background for readability. Sufficient colour contrast (e.g., dark text on a light background for readability).
  

• Resizable text without breaking site layout.
  

• Clear headings and structure for screen readers.
  

2) Operable – Users must be able to navigate and interact with the site.

• Keyboard accessibility (all interactive elements can be used without a mouse).
  

• No time-based restrictions on content use.
  

• Skip navigation links for screen readers.
  

• Avoidance of flashing content (prevents issues for users with epilepsy).
  

3) Understandable – Information and functionality must be easy to comprehend.

• Simple, consistent navigation across the site.
  

• Plain language, avoiding unnecessary jargon.
  

• Input assistance (error suggestions for forms).
  

4) Robust – The website must be compatible with different technologies.

• Works with screen readers and assistive technologies.
  

• Uses proper HTML semantic structure.
  

• Mobile-friendly, responsive design.
  

Why WCAG AA matters for Public Sector Websites

• Legal Compliance – In the UK, The Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 require public sector websites to meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA.
  

• Inclusion – Ensures people with disabilities can access vital public services and information.
  

• Improved User Experience – Accessible websites benefit all users, including older adults and those with temporary impairments.
  

By following WCAG AA standards, Blumin ensured that Hayle Town Council’s website was both user-friendly and legally compliant, making council services more accessible to everyone.