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Pace of completion levels
IBM’s accessibility requirements are updated regularly to address current worldwide standards and regulations in a unified list. Version 7.2 is the current version that incorporates WCAG 2.1, US 508, and EN 301 549 V3.2.1 standards. Version 7.3 incorporates new WCAG 2.2 requirements, and must be adopted by teams as of 1 October 2024.
The tables show the new requirements introduced in each version and their pace of completion level as defined in the Equal Access Toolkit.
Meeting the requirements helps ensure your technology is usable by persons who have disabilities and works with their assistive technologies. IBM teams, see Understanding Corporate Instruction CI-162 for more information.
New requirements for version 7.3
Requirement | Objective | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) | Keep the focused item visible | 2 |
| 2.5.7 Dragging Movements | Don’t rely on dragging for user actions | 2 |
| 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) | Make controls easier to activate | 2 |
| 3.2.6 Consistent Help | Consistently locate user help | 3 |
| 3.3.7 Redundant Entry | Make it easier for users to complete multi-step processes | 3 |
| 3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum) | Make logins possible with less mental effort | 3 |
New requirements for version 7.2
Requirement | Objective | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 5.2 Activation of accessibility features | Let users activate accessibility features | 3 |
| 5.7 Key repeat | Let user adjust keyboard key "repeat" rates | 3 |
| 5.8 Double-strike key acceptance | Let user adjust keyboard key "bounce" accept rates | 3 |
| 5.9 Simultaneous user actions | Let user activate keyboard "sticky keys" | 3 |
| 7.1.4 Captions characteristics | Ensure video players support presentation characteristics of closed captions | 3 |
| 7.1.5 Spoken subtitles | Ensure video players support spoken output of available captions | 3 |
New requirements for version 7.1
Requirement | Objective | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1.3.4 Orientation | Don’t lock content to either portrait or landscape presentation mode | 2 |
| 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose | Make the meaning of common inputs available via technology | 3 |
| 1.4.10 Reflow | Ensure content can be enlarged without horizontal scrolling | 1 |
| 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast | Ensure important visuals meet same minimum contrast as large text | 2 |
| 1.4.12 Text Spacing | Let users adjust text spacing to make it easier to read | 3 |
| 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus | Ensure content that appears on hover/focus persists until dismissed | 2 |
| 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts | Ensure custom shortcuts are not accidentally triggered | 3 |
| 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures | Let users operate touchscreens with a simple gestures | 2 |
| 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation | Make operations consistent to avoid accidental activation of controls | 3 |
| 2.5.3 Label in Name | Make the visual label for controls a trigger for speech activation | 2 |
| 2.5.4 Motion Actuation | Don’t rely solely on device motion to control page content | 2 |
| 4.1.3 Status Messages | Let assistive technologies notify users about messages in the content that don’t take focus | 2 |
Change history
Date | Version | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 06/10/2024 | 7.3 | Made version 7.3 the default listed and added an adoption deadline in the introduction. Removed requirements 4.1.1 Parsing from 7.3 and 4.1.4 Accessibility-supported Technologies Only (IBM requirement) from all versions. |
| 11/15/2023 | 7.3 | Produced a draft of version 7.3, which includes 6 new WCAG 2.2 criteria. |
| 11/15/2023 | 7.2 | Updated reference to version of EN 301 549 from 3.1.1 to 3.2.1; no requirements changes. |
| 10/12/2023 | 7.2 | Modified: 4.1.1 Parsing per WCAG 2.0 and 2.1 errata. |
| 03/20/2021 | 7.2 | Clarified: 7.1.2 Captioning synchronization. |
| 12/03/2020 | 7.2 | Version 7.2 includes EN 301 549 V3.1.1 (updated), WCAG 2.1, and US Revised 508 standards. Added 6 new requirements: 5.2 Activation of accessibilityfeatures, 5.7 Key repeat, 5.8 Double-strike key acceptance, 5.9 Simultaneous user actions, 7.1.4 Captions characteristics, and 7.1.5 Spoken subtitles. |
| 09/19/2019 | 7.1 | Added or modified: 1.3.4 Orientation, 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose, 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast, 1.4.12 Text Spacing, 1.4.13 Content on Hover or focus, 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts, 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures, 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation, and 2.5.4 Motion Actuation. |
| 06/23/2019 | 7.1 | Version 7.1 includes EN 301 549 V2.1.2 (updated), WCAG 2.1 (updated), and US Revised 508 standards. Added 12 new WCAG 2.1 requirements. Renumbered: 4.1.3 to 4.4.1, 11.3.2.3 to 11.5.2.3, 10.2.39 to 10.5, 10.2.40 to 10.6, 11.6.4 to 11.8.4. Updated impact analysis and change summary docs. |
| 10/26/2017 | 7.0 | Reworded short descriptions for 2.4.1, 2.4.5, 3.2.3, and 3.2.4 to match WCAG. |
| 07/25/2017 | 7.0 | Added 7 new EN 301 549 V2.1.2 requirements, covering ICT with video capabilities. |
| 07/18/2017 | 7.0 | Minor changes to checklist introduction text to reflect official July 18 date of adoption. |
| 06/13/2017 | 7.0 | Reformatted checklist to match IBM’s current v18 publishing standard. |
| 05/08/2017 | 7.0 | Version 7.0 includes EN 301 549 V1.1.2(new), WCAG 2.0, and US Revised 508 (updated) standards. Removed legacy section of 508 requirements that are no longer required. |