WCAG 3.0 Is Coming. And It’s Bigger Than Websites.

For years, conversations about digital accessibility have tended to start, and often end, with a single question: “Are you WCAG compliant?”

WCAG, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium, has long been the global reference point for digital accessibility. Most organisations today work towards WCAG 2.1 or 2.2 at Level AA. It has become the benchmark in policy documents, procurement requirements and project sign-off checklists.

In practical terms, WCAG 2.x focuses on clear, technical requirements. It tells organisations to ensure text has sufficient colour contrast, to provide alternative text for images, to make sure content can be navigated using a keyboard, and to label form fields properly. The framework is structured and measurable. You either meet the success criteria or you do not. It is, by design, largely pass or fail.

There is no doubt that WCAG 2.x has improved the digital landscape. Websites today are generally more navigable, more robust and more accessible than they were fifteen years ago. The guidelines have helped embed accessibility into mainstream design and development practice.

However, WCAG 2.x was conceived in a very different digital era. At the time, “digital” largely meant websites viewed on desktop computers. Mobile applications were still gaining traction. Artificial intelligence was not part of everyday business operations. Touchscreens and self-service kiosks were far less common. Enterprise systems were not designed with multimodal interaction in mind.

The way we interact with technology has changed dramatically since then.

Today, digital services extend far beyond web pages. We rely on mobile apps for banking and transport. We use cloud-based HR and payroll systems at work. We interact with chatbots and AI assistants. We tap payment terminals, check in at kiosks, and navigate complex enterprise platforms that are central to how organisations operate.

The standards that guide accessibility need to reflect that reality. That is why WCAG 3.0 is not simply another incremental update. It represents a broader rethink of what digital accessibility means in a world where websites are just one part of a much larger ecosystem.

Enter WCAG 3.0

WCAG 3.0 is the next evolution of the standard. It is still in draft form, but its direction is clear. This is not a minor refresh or a few additional checkpoints. It represents a broader rethink of how accessibility is defined, measured and embedded into digital services.

Here is what is changing.

From Websites to Digital Services

WCAG 3.0 is designed to extend well beyond web pages. It recognises that digital interaction now includes mobile applications, enterprise software, embedded systems, kiosks and terminals, as well as voice and conversational interfaces. It also anticipates technologies that are still evolving.

This shift matters. Accessibility is no longer confined to the responsibility of a web team. It becomes a whole-of-organisation consideration. Product teams, procurement, IT, operations and leadership all have a role to play because digital services now sit across the entire organisation.

From Pass or Fail to Graded Performance

WCAG 2.x operates on a checklist model. You either meet the success criteria or you do not. While this has provided clarity, it has also encouraged a compliance mindset.

WCAG 3.0 introduces graded levels, commonly described as Bronze, Silver and Gold. Instead of asking whether you have technically passed, organisations will be encouraged to consider how well they are performing and where they sit on a maturity scale.

Accessibility becomes a journey rather than a binary outcome. It also changes the tone of executive conversations. “Are we operating at Bronze or Silver level?” is a different discussion to “Did we pass AA?”

From Technical Criteria to Real User Outcomes

Under WCAG 2.x, it is possible to meet technical requirements and still deliver a frustrating experience. A page may have labels, sufficient contrast and keyboard access, yet the overall journey remains confusing or difficult to complete.

WCAG 3.0 places stronger emphasis on outcomes. It prompts questions such as: can someone complete a task independently? Are instructions clear and consistent? Are errors easy to understand and correct? Is the interface predictable?

The focus shifts from code-level compliance to real-world usability. The question is not only whether the requirements are present, but whether the service actually works for people.

Greater Focus on Cognitive Accessibility

WCAG 3.0 also expands thinking around cognitive accessibility. It gives greater attention to clear language, reduced cognitive load, predictable workflows and helpful feedback.

This reflects growing awareness of neurodivergence, mental health considerations and the impact of information overload in modern digital environments. Accessibility is not only about screen readers or keyboard access. It is also about clarity, simplicity and reducing unnecessary friction.

In this sense, WCAG 3.0 aligns more closely with good design practice. It recognises that accessible services are not just technically compliant, but understandable and usable for a wide range of people.

What This Means for Organisations

If your first reaction is, “We updated our website last year, so we’re covered,” it may be time to step back and take a broader view.

WCAG 3.0 signals that accessibility will increasingly apply across your entire digital environment. That includes HR platforms, payroll systems, online banking tools, learning platforms, self-service kiosks and AI chat assistants. In other words, it is not just about your homepage. It is about how people interact with your organisation at every digital touchpoint.

For employees, this might mean whether internal systems can be used independently and efficiently. For customers, it may determine whether they can complete essential tasks without frustration or assistance. For organisations, it shifts the question from “Is our website compliant?” to “Are our digital services genuinely usable?”

This broader scope also means accessibility will intersect more directly with core business functions. Procurement teams will need to assess accessibility in vendor selection. Governance frameworks will need to account for accessibility risk. Risk management processes will need to consider digital exclusion alongside other operational risks. Digital transformation programs will need to embed accessibility from the outset, rather than retrofitting it later.

Accessibility is gradually moving from being a technical afterthought, often addressed late in a project, to a strategic design and service consideration. It is becoming part of how organisations define quality, manage risk and deliver inclusive experiences.

A Simple Takeaway

WCAG 2.x helped organisations make websites more accessible. It provided clear rules, practical checkpoints and a shared standard that raised the baseline across the web.

WCAG 3.0 builds on that foundation, but it broadens the lens. It recognises that digital interaction now happens across apps, platforms, devices and AI systems. Accessibility is no longer confined to pages and code. It is about whether real people can complete real tasks confidently and independently.

For organisations, the takeaway is straightforward. Accessibility is moving beyond compliance and into capability. It is becoming part of service design, system selection and digital strategy.

There is no need to panic or rebuild everything overnight. WCAG 3.0 is still evolving. However, it clearly signals the direction of travel. Organisations that begin thinking in terms of usability, outcomes and accessibility maturity now will be better positioned as expectations continue to rise.

In short, the question is shifting from “Are we compliant?” to “Are we genuinely usable?”

At BlindSpot Solutions, we focus on accessibility awareness and building more inclusive workplace experiences. If you would like to understand how WCAG 3.0 may impact your organisation and where to begin, feel free to get in touch.