Accessibility on the web is evolving. In September 2025, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) released an updated draft of WCAG 3.0. This draft represents the next step in making digital content more usable for everyone. But what does it actually mean for businesses, developers, and accessibility services?
This blog will break it down in plain language. We’ll look at the new WCAG approach, compare it to previous versions, highlight real-world examples, and share practical tips to help you stay ahead.
What is WCAG?
“Accessibility is not just about compliance. It’s about inclusion.”
Before diving in, let’s recap what WCAG is about. WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It’s a set of rules that help make websites, apps, and digital tools more accessible to people with disabilities. If you’ve ever used captions on a video or noticed text that adapts to screen readers, you’ve seen WCAG in action.
The goal is simple: to ensure digital experiences work for as many people as possible, regardless of ability.
How WCAG 3.0 Differs
You might be wondering, how is WCAG 3.0 different from WCAG 2.x? The biggest shift is in structure.
- From success criteria to outcomes: WCAG 2.x uses strict pass-or-fail criteria. WCAG 3.0 introduces outcomes, which measure how well a user can complete a task.
- Plain language: The new draft is easier to read. It’s designed so non-technical teams can understand it too.
- More flexible testing: Instead of rigid rules, accessibility testing in WCAG 3.0 allows for scoring. That means partial credit if a feature works in some cases.
So what? This makes accessibility less about box-checking and more about actual usability.
Real-Life Example of WCAG 3.0: A Banking App
Imagine a mobile banking app. Under WCAG 2.x, a password field must meet contrast requirements and support screen readers. It either passes or fails.
In WCAG 3.0, the outcome would focus on whether a user with low vision can successfully log in. If the app allows multiple login methods, such as biometrics, it might still earn points even if one method falls short.
This example shows how WCAG 3.0 moves from rigid rules to practical usability.
Why the September 2025 Draft Matters
“WCAG 3.0 is about future-proofing accessibility in a fast-changing digital world.”
The September 2025 draft builds on earlier versions of WCAG 3.0. Here’s what’s new:
- Expanded outcomes: The draft now lists 174 outcomes compared to WCAG 2.1’s 78 criteria.
- Broader scope: It’s not just websites. WCAG 3.0 also applies to apps, authoring tools, and publishing formats.
- Regular updates: Unlike WCAG 2.x, which saw updates every few years, WCAG 3.0 is designed for frequent adjustments.
Comparing WCAG 2.x to WCAG 3.0
The shift from WCAG 2.x to WCAG 3.0 marks a significant evolution in accessibility standards. While WCAG 2.x is built around success criteria and relies on a strict pass or fail approach, WCAG 3.0 introduces outcomes and uses scored results to provide a more flexible and nuanced way of measuring accessibility.
The scope has also expanded beyond websites and apps to include a broader range of digital products, such as tools and document formats.
Updates in WCAG 3.0 are expected to be more frequent, ensuring the guidelines stay relevant to rapidly changing technology. Additionally, the language in WCAG 3.0 is designed to be plain and user-friendly, making it easier for a wider audience to understand and apply compared to the relatively technical tone of WCAG 2.x.
Accessibility Testing in WCAG 3.0
Accessibility testing is where these changes hit the ground. Instead of a binary test, WCAG 3.0 allows graded results. This means that accessibility is no longer seen as a rigid checklist but as a spectrum where progress and effort can be measured.
Example: A website may get 80% for navigation accessibility if most, but not all, menus are screen reader-friendly.
This scoring approach introduces a new way of thinking:
- Show progress over time: Organizations can track whether their accessibility scores are improving quarter by quarter.
- Highlight priority areas: Instead of a vague “fail,” teams can see exactly which areas need the most attention.
- Give credit for partial improvements: Businesses that make strides but aren’t yet perfect can demonstrate accountability and progress.
What makes this powerful is that it turns accessibility into something measurable and iterative. Just like you measure SEO performance with scores, analytics, and KPIs, WCAG 3.0 creates a framework to measure accessibility in numbers.
Imagine an e-commerce store that begins with a 55% accessibility score. Over six months, through structured improvements like fixing alt text, ensuring button consistency, and enhancing color contrast, the store raises its score to 82%. Customers with disabilities notice the difference, and usability improves across the board. The business can showcase this progress in reports, proving that accessibility is not a one-off task but an ongoing commitment.
So what? Businesses can finally treat accessibility like they treat growth metrics as measurable, comparable, and improvable.
How Accessibility Services Will Evolve
“Measuring accessibility progress motivates continuous improvement.”
Accessibility services like audits, consulting, and remediation will need to adapt. Instead of only issuing pass-or-fail reports, they’ll help clients improve scores and track ongoing progress.
This evolution means accessibility professionals will act more like long-term partners. They’ll:
- Build customized accessibility scorecards tailored to client needs.
- Provide ongoing coaching for development and content teams.
- Offer benchmarking services so organizations can see how they compare within their industry.
- Guide businesses in setting realistic accessibility KPIs that align with WCAG 3.0 outcomes.
So what? Accessibility services will no longer just identify problems. They’ll become strategic allies that help organizations improve steadily and sustainably.
Tips for Preparing Now
You don’t have to wait until WCAG 3.0 is finalized. Here are the steps to take today:
- Audit your site: Run accessibility testing using current WCAG 2.2 standards.
- Focus on usability: Ask real users with disabilities to test your product.
- Track improvements: Use scoring or benchmarks to measure progress.
- Train your team: Ensure both developers and content creators know the basics of WCAG.
- Partner smart: Work with accessibility services that are already preparing for WCAG 3.0, like us at Pivotal Accessibility.
So what? The earlier you start, the easier the transition will be.
What lies ahead for Accessibility Compliance?
The September 2025 draft of WCAG 3.0 shows that accessibility is moving toward a more practical, inclusive, and user-focused future. For businesses, this means shifting from compliance checklists to real usability testing. For accessibility services, it means evolving into long-term partners. And for users, it promises a web that works better for everyone.
The bottom line? Start preparing now. Accessibility is no longer just a standard but can be pivoted into a competitive advantage.
Whether you need accessibility testing, team training, or long-term support, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us by filling out the form below to see how we can help you start your digital accessibility journey and build experiences that include everyone.