How to Read a WCAG Conformance Report
Introduction
Web accessibility isn't just about ticking off a compliance checklist — it's about creating inclusive digital experiences for everyone. As digital accessibility standards become increasingly integrated into global business practices and legal frameworks, understanding your website’s accessibility status is crucial. One of the key tools in evaluating accessibility is the WCAG conformance report.
But how do you actually read one? What do the different levels mean? How can you know if you're heading in the right direction?
Whether you’re a business owner, a legal compliance manager, or a developer looking to better understand WCAG evaluations, this blog post will guide you through how to read a WCAG conformance report.
You’ll learn what to look for, how to interpret findings, and how solutions like allyWay can assist you in reducing accessibility barriers and supporting your compliance journey.
What Is a WCAG Conformance Report?
A WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) conformance report is a structured document that evaluates how well a website or web application meets web accessibility standards, specifically WCAG 2.0 or WCAG 2.1, and soon, WCAG 2.2.
These guidelines are internationally recognized and widely referenced in laws such as:
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- The European Accessibility Act (EAA)
- Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
- EN 301 549, the EU accessibility standard for ICT products and services
The report is usually generated through a combination of automated audits, manual testing, and user testing with assistive technologies. It typically includes scores, remarks on each criterion, and recommendations for improvement.
Who Writes a WCAG Report?
The WCAG conformance report may be compiled by:
- An in-house accessibility expert
- A third-party accessibility consultant
- An automated accessibility platform like allyWay, which uses AI-powered accessibility audits to generate structured evaluations and insights
Why the WCAG Conformance Report Matters
Before we get into the mechanics of reading the report, let’s look at why interpreting it correctly is important:
✓ Identify barriers that prevent users with disabilities from accessing your content
✓ Assist your design and development team with precise accessibility fixes
✓ Inform your strategic planning by understanding how close your web property is to meeting accessibility standards
✓ Support legal defense by documenting accessibility efforts (note: this does not guarantee legal compliance)
✓ Demonstrate your commitment to digital inclusivity to stakeholders, partners, and customers
Key Sections of a WCAG Conformance Report (What to Expect)
Not all WCAG reports look the same, but they generally follow a similar structure. Here’s what you’ll likely find:
- Executive Summary
- Scope of Evaluation
- Applicable Standards
- Testing Tools and Methodologies
- Summary of Findings
- Detailed Criterion-by-Criterion Results
- Recommendations
- Statement of Partial or Full Conformance (Where applicable – remember, don’t confuse this with legal compliance)
Let’s break these sections down.
Executive Summary
This section offers a bird’s-eye view of the overall accessibility state of your website. It may include:
✓ Total number of pages tested
✓ WCAG version and level (e.g., WCAG 2.1 A/AA/AAA)
✓ Overall conformance rating: Often in the form of percentages or severity grades
✓ Major issues or red flags
What to watch for: If the summary says you're “largely conformant at Level AA,” that typically indicates that most standard barriers are addressed — but not all.
However, remember: no report or tool, including the results shown here, can guarantee legal adherence or complete conformance.
Scope of Evaluation
This section outlines what's actually being tested. Key parameters include:
- The date range of testing
- Number and types of pages evaluated (homepage, product pages, forms, etc.)
- Technologies tested (e.g., HTML, JavaScript, CMS frameworks like WordPress)
- User interactions, if applicable
Best practice: Ensure that a representative sample of your digital experience is tested — not just the homepage.
Standards and Guidelines Used
This section specifies the accessibility standards your site was tested against:
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| WCAG 2.0 | Minimum set of accessibility guidelines enforced by many laws (including old Section 508) |
| WCAG 2.1 | Adds improvements around mobile accessibility, cognitive disabilities, and vision impairments |
| WCAG 2.2 | Latest additions focusing on better experiences for users with cognitive and motor impairments |
| EN 301 549 | Specific to the EU; includes WCAG and technical requirements in public procurement |
| ADA Title III | Often interpreted using WCAG Level AA as a benchmark in US case law (though not formally specified) |
Friendly Tip: If you're targeting international markets, be aware of both WCAG and region-specific standards like EN 301 549.
Testing Tools and Methods
Did the audit rely purely on automated tools, or was it supported by real-user testing?
An effective WCAG conformance report should mention:
- Automated analysis tools (e.g., WAVE, axe, or the AI-powered auditor in allyWay)
- Manual checks of nuanced criteria like logical page structure or visual focus
- Assistive technology testing to evaluate usability with screen readers, magnifiers, etc.
Why it matters: Automated tools detect around 30% to 40% of accessibility barriers. Manual and real-user review bridges the gap.
Summary of Findings
Here, you’ll typically see a high-level presentation of:
- Criteria met
- Criteria not met
- Number of issues found, often categorized by severity
| Severity Level | Description |
|---|---|
| High | Major failure affecting core functionality (e.g., impossible to submit a form) |
| Medium | Obstructs navigation or comprehension |
| Low | Minor usability barriers (e.g., color contrast slightly below threshold) |
Look out for any patterns — are most failings related to color contrast, keyboard navigation, alt text?
Detailed Evaluation (Criterion-by-Criterion)
This is where things get technical — every Success Criterion from WCAG (e.g., 1.1.1, 1.4.3, 2.4.1) is evaluated. Each result typically includes:
- Success Criterion (e.g., WCAG 2.1 SC 1.1.1 Non-text Content)
- Outcome: Passed, Failed, Partially Met
- Issue Description
- Evidence (such as screenshots or issue markup)
- Suggested Remediation
✓ Tip: Focus on Level A and AA outcomes — these are considered critical in most legal interpretations and international standards.
Sample WCAG Evaluation Summary Table
Here’s a simplified version of what to expect:
| Criterion | WCAG Level | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 Non-text Content | A | Failed | Missing alt text on 8 images |
| 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) | AA | Partially Met | Contrast ratio 3.9:1 on buttons |
| 2.1.1 Keyboard Accessible | A | Passed | All interactive features keyboard-navigable |
Practical Tips for Interpreting Your WCAG Report
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Don’t panic at red marks: Understand the actual impact. A missing label on a minor UI element may not break usability.
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Prioritize fixes: Start with high-severity Level A failures, then address AA-level issues.
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Track improvements over time: If you're using a tool like allyWay, you can see progress through trend reports and updated audits.
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Don’t guess remediation strategies: Either work with accessibility consultants, or take advantage of platforms like allyWay that offer automated suggestions and actionable insights.
How allyWay Helps You Make Sense of WCAG Reports
allyWay is more than just an accessibility widget — it's a powerful accessibility optimization platform built for scalability and usability. allyWay supports the WCAG reporting process in several ways:
| Feature | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| AI-Powered Accessibility Audit | Interprets your site’s performance against WCAG 2.1 |
| Automatic Accessibility Suggestions | Suggests page-specific remediations |
| Visual Dashboard | Turns reports into charts and metrics you can act on |
| Support for 35+ Languages | Makes audits and reports accessible to global teams |
| Custom Profiles and Features | Offers 5 profiles and over 30 features to create accessible experiences |
➡ allyWay helps you reduce digital barriers, streamline audits, and empower your team to take corrective action, all without drowning in technical reports.
While no tool can promise legal compliance, allyWay can be a trusted part of your digital accessibility strategy.
FAQs: WCAG Conformance Reports
Q1. Is a WCAG conformance report legally required?
Not specifically. However, having one demonstrates good faith effort toward accessibility and may support your legal defense in lawsuits under ADA or EAA regulations.
Q2. Does a perfect WCAG report mean I’m legally compliant?
No. Consider legal consultation and ongoing monitoring. allyWay can support accessibility improvement but cannot guarantee compliance.
Q3. Can I generate my own WCAG report?
Partially
