How To Future-Proof Your Accessibility Program for WCAG 3.0
If you’ve seen WCAG 3.0 pop up in meetings recently, you’re not imagining it. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are evolving, and WCAG 3 introduces a different structure, a different conformance model, and a broader scope than WCAG 2.
But here’s the part teams need to hear clearly: WCAG 3.0 is still in an exploratory, changing phase. It’s a working draft and will change substantially. So the goal is not “switch to WCAG 3.0 tomorrow.” The goal is: build an accessibility program that works under WCAG 2.2 today and won’t get outdated when WCAG 3.0 matures.
What’s changing in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines with WCAG 3.0
WCAG 2.x is built around principles, guidelines, and testable success criteria with A, AA, AAA levels.
WCAG 3.0 keeps the same overall mission, but the draft direction aims for:
Different structure that is more outcome-focused
Different conformance approach that is not just pass-fail checklists and
Broader scope beyond classic web pages
The WCAG 3.0 explainer discusses a possible model using Bronze, Silver, Gold as conformance levels.
Most legal, procurement, and policy expectations still point at WCAG 2.2 or WCAG 2.1 today. So future-proofing is just going to involve:
Using WCAG 2.2 as the baseline for your program now
And adopting WCAG 3-style thinking (outcomes, journeys, real user success) as you mature
That way you’re compliant now and ready later.
How to future-proof your accessibility program for WCAG 3.0
Step #1: Treat WCAG 2.2 AA as your non-negotiable baseline
Keep your program grounded in WCAG 2.2, because it’s current and concrete.
If your team is still stabilizing basics, focus on repeat offenders: keyboard support, labels, focus management, errors, contrast, headings, and name-role-value.
Step #2: Shift from “pages” to “journeys”
WCAG 3.0 direction pushes toward whether users can actually complete tasks.
So define 5–10 critical journeys and make them your accessibility heartbeat:
signup/login
onboarding
search/filter
checkout/payment
account settings
support/contact
Test these journeys end-to-end with keyboard and at least one screen reader.
Step #3: Build your evidence pack like a product artifact
Future-proofing means you can show your work, not just claim it. Create an “accessibility evidence pack” that includes:
what was tested (pages, journeys, components)
which tools and assistive tech were used
key findings and remediation status
regression tracking
This becomes your internal source of truth and makes future reporting easier.
Step #4: Move accessibility left into design systems and components
WCAG 3.0 being broader means your foundations matter more.
If your design system components are accessible by default, every new feature starts ahead.
Practical move: define “golden components” (inputs, selects, modals, menus, tabs) and treat them like infrastructure.
Step #5: Add lightweight, repeatable testing into delivery
You do not need heavyweight gates. You need consistent ones:
automated checks on PRs
keyboard smoke test on staging for key flows
screen reader spot checks on releases
accessibility issues tracked like normal bugs
Step #6: Track metrics that map to outcomes (not vanity)
Because WCAG 3.0 is leaning outcome-focused, start measuring like it.
Examples:
% of critical journeys that pass keyboard-only
# of critical blockers open
median time-to-fix for high severity
regressions introduced per release
component compliance rate in design system
Step #7: Keep your public commitments aligned
If you publish anything user-facing, make it stable even as standards evolve. An accessibility statement is the simplest way to do that.
Want a WCAG 3.0-ready program without turning everything upside down?
Wally can help you future-proof the program you already have - starting with WCAG 2.2 as your baseline, then building outcome-based testing, journey coverage and a workflow your team can actually keep up with.
Book a free accessibility consultation with Wally and we’ll help you set up:
