WCAG 2.2 for DreamHost Sites
WCAG 2.2 became a W3C Recommendation in October 2023. It keeps every WCAG 2.1 requirement except 4.1.1 Parsing and adds six success criteria at Level A and AA, mostly about people with low vision, motor disabilities and cognitive disabilities. A DreamHost site that meets WCAG 2.2 AA also meets 2.1 AA and 2.0 AA.
This checker runs the same free scan as the DreamHost accessibility checker with the WCAG 2.2 AA preset, so the results include the 2.2 rules that automated testing can check.
The host does not decide WCAG 2.2 compliance. For a site hosted on DreamHost, the theme, builder or code you run there does, so scan the live pages and fix issues in that software.
| Published | October 5, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Success criteria at Level A and AA | 55 |
| New at Level A and AA | 6 |
| Removed | 4.1.1 Parsing |
| Automated rules in this scan | 63 |
Who Should Run the DreamHost WCAG 2.2 Checker
- DreamHost site owners who want the most current, future-proof target.
- Teams redesigning a DreamHost site, where adopting the latest version costs little extra.
- Organizations selling into the EU, where EN 301 549 V4.1.1 now uses WCAG 2.2.
- Anyone preparing for new rules, which tend to adopt the latest WCAG version.
The New WCAG 2.2 Criteria to Check on DreamHost
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2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum)
Sticky headers, cookie banners and chat widgets must not completely hide the element that has keyboard focus.
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2.5.7 Dragging Movements
Anything that works by dragging, such as sliders, carousels and sortable lists, needs a single-pointer alternative.
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2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum)
Buttons and links need a target of at least 24 by 24 CSS pixels, or enough space around them. Icon buttons and pagination links often fail.
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3.2.6 Consistent Help
Help such as a contact link or chat must appear in the same place on every page that has it.
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3.3.7 Redundant Entry
Do not ask for the same information twice in one process, such as shipping and billing addresses, without offering to fill it in.
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3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum)
Sign-in must not depend on a cognitive test, such as remembering a password without paste support or solving a puzzle.
Where DreamHost Sites Usually Fail WCAG 2.2
These problems come up again and again on DreamHost sites, and each one fails WCAG 2.2. The DreamHost accessibility checker explains how to fix them in DreamHost.
- Blog images. Featured images and in-post images published without alt text.
- Heading structure. Long posts that skip heading levels or use bold text instead of headings.
- Vague link text. Repeated "read more" and "click here" links that do not say where they go.
- Theme contrast. Light gray meta text, captions and buttons that fail WCAG contrast.
- Comment and search forms. Fields without labels and buttons without accessible names.
Worried about ADA claims as well? The DreamHost ADA compliance checker covers the DreamHost risks behind most complaints.
What to Test by Hand on DreamHost
Automated testing finds many, but not all, WCAG 2.2 failures. Check these yourself after the scan:
- Tab through each page and check the focused element is never fully covered by sticky content (2.4.11).
- Try every drag interaction with a single click or tap instead (2.5.7).
- Sign in with a password manager and check paste works (3.3.8).
- Rescan after each fix. Continuous monitoring rescans up to 500 URLs per domain daily and keeps a dated record in the Compliance Vault.
Related Guides
DreamHost WCAG 2.2 Checker: Frequently Asked Questions
Does my DreamHost site need to meet WCAG 2.2?
Few laws require WCAG 2.2 yet, but it is the current standard and meeting it also meets 2.1 and 2.0. EN 301 549 V4.1.1, written for the European Accessibility Act, now uses WCAG 2.2 AA.
What is new in WCAG 2.2 for DreamHost sites?
Six Level A and AA criteria: focus not obscured, dragging movements, target size, consistent help, redundant entry and accessible authentication. Target size and focus visibility are the ones scans most often flag.
Can the scan check every WCAG 2.2 criterion on DreamHost?
No automated tool can. The scan checks the criteria that can be tested automatically, such as target size, and lists the ones that need a person, such as accessible authentication.
Sources
- W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 (opens in a new tab)
- W3C WAI: What is new in WCAG 2.2 (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Accessibility requirements for public sector websites and apps (opens in a new tab)
This page explains general accessibility patterns for DreamHost sites and is not legal advice. AccessBell is not affiliated with DreamHost. DreamHost and its logo are trademarks of their owners and are used only to identify the platform. See our disclaimer.
