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WCAG Compliance Guide

Professional Guide to Digital Accessibility Excellence, Scanning & Entitlements

This comprehensive guide explains end-to-end accessibility workflows with Kosansh WCAG Scanner. Learn how our two-tier scanning pipeline, AI vision models, plan tiers, domain quotas, Stripe billing, export deliverables, and admin governance console help organizations maintain WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Introduction

Understanding Digital Accessibility Compliance

In today's digital landscape, web accessibility is both a fundamental human right and a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 508, European Accessibility Act (EAA), and international regulations. This guide provides comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for using the Kosansh WCAG Scanner to audit, remediate, and maintain WCAG 2.2 Level AA compliance across your digital properties.

Platform Key Capabilities

  • Full coverage of all 113 WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2 Level AA success criteria
  • Two-tier scanning architecture (Task 1 automated engines + Task 2 custom algorithm & AI)
  • Multimodal AI vision models for contextual alt-text verification
  • Real-time Server-Sent Events (SSE) streaming with live progress countdowns
  • Direct PDF URL scanning and embedded YouTube/Vimeo video auditing
  • Flexible self-serve pricing tiers, domain slot management, and Stripe billing
  • Executive PDF and technical Developer Excel reports with lead capture integration
  • Admin governance console for multi-target audits and user management
Chapter 1

Two-Tier Scanning Architecture & WCAG 2.2 AA Coverage

Complete Multi-Engine Analysis Across Principles and Guidelines

Achieve total visibility into accessibility barriers with our two-tier hybrid scanning architecture, combining established industry linters with our proprietary advanced algorithm.

Step-by-Step Workflow

1

Enter Target URL or Document

Navigate to the scanner homepage. Enter any valid website URL (e.g. example.com, https://mycompany.com) or a direct PDF link. You can also specify maximum crawl depth depending on your plan tier.

2

Tier 1 Core Scan Execution (Task 1)

Upon submission, Task 1 launches immediately, running automated toolchains: axe-core (20% of automated score), pa11y (10%), achecks (5%), IBM Equal Access, and Google Lighthouse. DOM elements are audited concurrently with database write synchronization.

3

Tier 2 Extended Tools & Custom Algorithm (Task 2)

Task 2 executes our proprietary Custom Algorithm (45% weight), evaluating all 113 WCAG 2.1 and 2.2 rules. It performs 100% de-duplication, runs ShortPixel AI Vision analysis on image elements, and audits embedded media.

4

Assess Overall Compliance Score & POUR Principles

Evaluate your compliance score breakdown across the four WCAG principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) and by compliance level (Level A, Level AA, Level AAA) with zero stuck scans guaranteed.

Visual Guide & Interface Walkthrough

Screenshot 1 for Chapter 1: Two-Tier Scanning Architecture & WCAG 2.2 AA Coverage

wcag home page

Screenshot 2 for Chapter 1: Two-Tier Scanning Architecture & WCAG 2.2 AA Coverage

two tier scan progress

Screenshot 3 for Chapter 1: Two-Tier Scanning Architecture & WCAG 2.2 AA Coverage

pour principles scorecard

Screenshot 4 for Chapter 1: Two-Tier Scanning Architecture & WCAG 2.2 AA Coverage

wcag dashboard violations

Screenshot 5 for Chapter 1: Two-Tier Scanning Architecture & WCAG 2.2 AA Coverage

wcag compliance score

Multi-Engine Scoring Formula

Unlike single-engine linters that miss over 60% of modern accessibility barriers, our platform combines axe-core (20%), pa11y (10%), achecks (5%), and our Custom Algorithm (45%) alongside AI multimodal heuristics to deliver complete, certified WCAG 2.2 AA coverage without duplicate counts.

Chapter 2

AI-Powered Alt Text & Visual Asset Validation

Intelligent Image Content Analysis and Validation

Leverage multimodal artificial intelligence to validate whether image descriptions genuinely convey meaning, ensuring screen-reader users receive equivalent visual context.

Step-by-Step Workflow

1

Automatic Multimodal Image Analysis

AI-powered validation is enabled by default. During Tier 2 scanning, images detected in the DOM are sent to our vision pipeline for contextual understanding.

2

Review Accuracy Scores (0-100)

Inspect accuracy ratings comparing the existing alt text against the visual contents. Scores above 90 reflect exemplary descriptive equivalence, while scores below 50 highlight significant accessibility barriers.

3

Inspect AI Recommendations

For every image flagged, review suggested alternative text tailored to the page purpose, distinguishing between decorative graphics, informative diagrams, and complex charts.

4

Identify Inaccuracies & Generic Descriptions

The engine detects common anti-patterns such as filename placeholders ("image1.png"), redundant labels ("photo of"), and vague descriptors ("graph") lacking actual data.

Visual Guide & Interface Walkthrough

Screenshot 1 for Chapter 2: AI-Powered Alt Text & Visual Asset Validation

ai scan options

Screenshot 2 for Chapter 2: AI-Powered Alt Text & Visual Asset Validation

ai validation results

Screenshot 3 for Chapter 2: AI-Powered Alt Text & Visual Asset Validation

ai solution page

Screenshot 4 for Chapter 2: AI-Powered Alt Text & Visual Asset Validation

ai accuracy scores

Beyond Syntactic Checks

Traditional validators only check if an alt attribute is present. Our vision intelligence audits semantic truth—ensuring a chart showing quarterly sales isn't simply labeled "chart", but conveys the essential business data.

Understanding Accuracy Scores

90-100Excellent

Alt text accurately and comprehensively describes visual content

70-89Good

Accurate description with minor opportunities for contextual clarity

50-69Fair

Partial description with missing critical data or ambiguous phrasing

0-49Poor

Generic, missing, inaccurate, or contains non-descriptive file names

Chapter 3

Real-Time Streaming Monitoring & Progress Feed

Instant Insights with Server-Sent Events

Watch your scan progress dynamically as pages are crawled and violations are identified, without waiting for the full batch crawl to complete.

Step-by-Step Workflow

1

Live Scan Dashboard Connection

Upon launching a scan, you are instantly connected to an SSE (Server-Sent Events) live stream displaying real-time crawl statistics, page counts, and server status.

2

Track Two-Pass Progress Meters

Observe Pass 1 (Core scan) and Pass 2 (Custom Algorithm & AI) progress meters update synchronously as worker threads write findings to PostgreSQL.

3

Streaming Violations Feed

Violations populate the live stream categorized by WCAG criterion ID, severity level (Critical, Serious, Moderate, Minor), and element selector.

4

Immediate Remediation Access

Click any incoming violation while the scan is running to open the dedicated solution modal and begin code remediation immediately.

Visual Guide & Interface Walkthrough

Screenshot 1 for Chapter 3: Real-Time Streaming Monitoring & Progress Feed

realtime dashboard instant

Screenshot 2 for Chapter 3: Real-Time Streaming Monitoring & Progress Feed

realtime progress bar

Screenshot 3 for Chapter 3: Real-Time Streaming Monitoring & Progress Feed

realtime violations feed

Screenshot 4 for Chapter 3: Real-Time Streaming Monitoring & Progress Feed

realtime page results

Operational Efficiency

Real-time streaming transforms compliance audits from slow background tasks into interactive engineering sessions. Developers can start fixing critical barriers on scanned pages before the entire domain crawl concludes.

Chapter 4

Actionable Code Remediation & Framework Solutions

Context-Aware Fixes for HTML, React, Vue, and Angular

Every identified issue includes copy-paste code snippets, before-and-after diffs, and framework-specific remediation guidance tailored to your stack.

Step-by-Step Workflow

1

Access Solution Deep-Dive

Select any violation in your audit dashboard to open its dedicated remediation workspace containing the offending element snippet.

2

Inspect Side-by-Side Code Diffs

Examine side-by-side comparisons showing the current inaccessible DOM structure next to the compliant version with corrected ARIA attributes, semantic tags, and contrast values.

3

Select Your Frontend Framework

Toggle between Vanilla HTML, React / Next.js (JSX/TSX), Vue.js, and Angular implementations with framework-specific syntax and props.

4

Follow Step-by-Step Testing Protocols

Execute guided testing steps using screen readers (NVDA, VoiceOver), keyboard tab navigation, or automated linter rules to verify the fix.

Visual Guide & Interface Walkthrough

Screenshot 1 for Chapter 4: Actionable Code Remediation & Framework Solutions

solutions violations list

Screenshot 2 for Chapter 4: Actionable Code Remediation & Framework Solutions

solutions code comparison

Screenshot 3 for Chapter 4: Actionable Code Remediation & Framework Solutions

solutions framework specific

Screenshot 4 for Chapter 4: Actionable Code Remediation & Framework Solutions

solutions testing steps

Developer Velocity

Generic WCAG guidelines can be abstract and confusing. By providing framework-native code solutions that preserve your class names and component structures, engineering teams remediate issues up to 80% faster.

Chapter 5

Media, Document & Direct PDF URL Scanning

Accessibility Beyond Standard HTML Pages

Audit embedded multimedia, YouTube and Vimeo video players, and standalone PDF documents for WCAG 2.2 AA and PDF/UA compliance.

Step-by-Step Workflow

1

Scan Direct PDF URLs

Paste a direct PDF URL (e.g. https://example.com/annual-report.pdf) straight into the scanner. The system auto-detects the document type and invokes specialized PDF/UA parsing.

2

Assess Document Tagging & Structure

The PDF engine audits document tags, logical reading order, heading hierarchies (H1-H6), bookmarks, alternative text for embedded figures, table headers, and metadata.

3

Video Player & Iframe Auditing

During page crawls, the scanner identifies embedded HTML5 video players as well as YouTube and Vimeo iframes, checking for captions, audio descriptions, and keyboard controls.

4

Review Media Compliance Score

Examine a dedicated media compliance breakdown highlighting missing transcript files, inaccessible player buttons, and untagged PDF elements with remediation steps.

Visual Guide & Interface Walkthrough

Screenshot 1 for Chapter 5: Media, Document & Direct PDF URL Scanning

media scan starting

Screenshot 2 for Chapter 5: Media, Document & Direct PDF URL Scanning

media pdf direct scan

Screenshot 3 for Chapter 5: Media, Document & Direct PDF URL Scanning

media video violations

Screenshot 4 for Chapter 5: Media, Document & Direct PDF URL Scanning

media youtube vimeo detection

Screenshot 5 for Chapter 5: Media, Document & Direct PDF URL Scanning

media pdf violations

Screenshot 6 for Chapter 5: Media, Document & Direct PDF URL Scanning

media document results

Complete Digital Footprint

PDF documents and embedded video players account for a large percentage of ADA accessibility lawsuits. Direct document and iframe auditing ensures your entire media library meets regulatory standards.

Chapter 6

Plans, Pricing & Domain Limits Guide

Transparent Subscription Tiers, FQDN Domain Slots & Quota Management

Understand subscription tiers, domain registration limits, monthly scan quotas, and how to manage your billing and team entitlements.

Step-by-Step Workflow

1

Explore Plan Tiers & Features

Choose the plan tailored to your team's digital footprint. Every paid plan includes full WCAG 2.2 AA multi-tier scanning, AI alt-text validation, and report downloads.

2

Manage Registered FQDN Domain Slots

Paid plans allocate registered domain slots (e.g., 1 domain on Starter/Professional, 3 on Business, 10 on Growth, 25 on Agency). Registered slots ensure dedicated historical monitoring and deep crawling.

3

Monitor Scan Quotas & URL Caps

Track your daily scan frequency and monthly URL capacity in your account dashboard. Quotas reset automatically at the start of each UTC day and billing cycle.

4

Quota Exceeded Experience & Upgrading

If you hit your daily limit or enter an unregistered domain, the system presents an intuitive modal with your reset countdown (UTC 00:00), remaining allowance, and one-click upgrade options.

5

Upgrade via Stripe Checkout

Select Monthly or Annual billing (saving up to 28% annually) and upgrade instantly through our PCI-DSS compliant Stripe Checkout flow.

6

Access the Customer Billing Portal

Manage payment methods, view invoices, download tax receipts, or modify subscriptions at any time via the self-service Stripe Customer Portal.

Plan Features, Pricing & Domain Limits Matrix

Plan TierMonthly PriceAnnual BillingDomain Limit (FQDN)Daily / Monthly ScansURLs Per ScanReporting & Export
Anonymous VisitorFreeFree1 On-demand Domain
Rate-limited
Free Tier Quota
10 URLs per scanGated by Lead Capture Form
Starter Plan$29 / mo$250 / yr (Save 28%)1 Registered FQDN
5 scans / day
50 scans / month
100 URLs per scanInstant PDF & Excel export
Professional PlanMost Popular$79 / mo$730 / yr (Save 23%)1 Registered FQDN
10 scans / day
100 scans / month
250 URLs per scanFull PDF & Excel + Priority Queue
Business Plan$199 / mo$1,850 / yr (Save 22%)3 Registered FQDNs
20 scans / day
200 scans / month
500 URLs per scanUnbranded PDF & Multi-Domain Reports
Growth Plan$499 / mo$4,990 / yr (Save 17%)10 Registered FQDNs
40 scans / day
400 scans / month
1,000 URLs per scanTeam Workspace & Bulk Export
Agency Plan$999 / mo$9,990 / yr (Save 17%)25 Registered FQDNs
100 scans / day
1,000 scans / month
2,500 URLs per scanWhite-labeling & Client Portals
Enterprise PlanCustomContact SalesUnlimited FQDNs
Unlimited / Custom
Custom Quota
Unlimited URLs per scanCustom SLA & Dedicated Support

Visual Guide & Interface Walkthrough

Screenshot 1 for Chapter 6: Plans, Pricing & Domain Limits Guide

pricing plans table

Screenshot 2 for Chapter 6: Plans, Pricing & Domain Limits Guide

pricing domain limits

Screenshot 3 for Chapter 6: Plans, Pricing & Domain Limits Guide

quota limit exceeded modal

Screenshot 4 for Chapter 6: Plans, Pricing & Domain Limits Guide

stripe checkout flow

Screenshot 5 for Chapter 6: Plans, Pricing & Domain Limits Guide

stripe billing portal

Quota & Domain Enforcement Invariant

Domain and scan limits are enforced strictly on the server (lib/services/entitlements.ts). If an unregistered domain is submitted or monthly scan limits are reached, the system returns a friendly 403 response detailing remaining quota, next reset timestamp, and self-serve upgrade options.

Chapter 7

Compliance Reports, Export & Lead Capture Flow

Formal Audit Documentation for Leadership, Legal & Engineering

Generate executive compliance summaries, download granular developer spreadsheets, and understand our lead capture workflow.

Step-by-Step Workflow

1

Select Export Format

From any completed scan dashboard, navigate to the export bar. Choose between the Executive Summary (PDF) or the Technical Audit Workbook (Excel).

2

Executive Summary PDF Report

The Executive PDF report provides high-level compliance certificates, POUR principle radar charts, top risk areas, and overall scorecards suitable for leadership and VPAT submissions.

3

Technical Developer Excel Workbook

The Excel export categorizes every violation with DOM element selectors, offending HTML line snippets, criterion tags, and recommended remediation code ready for bulk import into Jira or GitHub Issues.

4

Anonymous Lead Capture Gating

Public visitors can view all live audit results on screen for free. To download the generated PDF or Excel report, visitors simply enter their work email to receive instant download links and an email copy.

5

Direct Un-Gated Downloads for Paid Users

Logged-in subscribers on Starter, Professional, Business, Growth, Agency, or Admin tiers enjoy instant, one-click un-gated downloads and automated email delivery.

Visual Guide & Interface Walkthrough

Screenshot 1 for Chapter 7: Compliance Reports, Export & Lead Capture Flow

report export options

Screenshot 2 for Chapter 7: Compliance Reports, Export & Lead Capture Flow

lead capture export modal

Audit Trail & Legal Protection

Our timestamped audit exports serve as formal proof of accessibility due diligence, demonstrating ongoing compliance efforts in the event of regulatory audits or legal inquiries.

Chapter 8

Admin Governance & Enterprise Multi-Target Scanning

User Administration, Quota Overrides, and Administrative Scan Launcher

Enterprise administrators have access to platform governance tools, allowing role management, plan assignment, and administrative scans that bypass domain restrictions.

Step-by-Step Workflow

1

User Management & Role Administration

Access the Admin Console to view all registered users, monitor active subscriptions, assign custom plans, and modify role permissions across your organization.

2

Launch Administrative Multi-Target Scans

Administrators can trigger ad-hoc audits for any domain or upload a custom URL batch list. Administrative scans bypass domain registration limits and scan frequency caps.

3

Configure Audit Depth & WCAG Criteria

Set strict WCAG targets (Level A, Level AA, Level AAA), override crawl depth limits, force fresh browser sessions, and assign audits to specific client accounts.

4

Monitor System Queues & DB Health

Verify PostgreSQL writeQueue throughput, active background worker threads, and multi-tier completion states to ensure zero stalled scans platform-wide.

Visual Guide & Interface Walkthrough

Screenshot 1 for Chapter 8: Admin Governance & Enterprise Multi-Target Scanning

admin dashboard users

Screenshot 2 for Chapter 8: Admin Governance & Enterprise Multi-Target Scanning

admin scan launcher

Centralized Governance

For corporate accessibility directors and enterprise compliance leads, the Admin Governance Console provides centralized control over teams, audit quotas, and enterprise-wide compliance benchmarks.

Ready to Begin Your Compliance Journey?

Start scanning your website or document today and gain comprehensive insights into your accessibility compliance posture. Our multi-engine analysis, AI vision models, and enterprise governance tools provide actionable guidance to help you reach and maintain WCAG 2.2 Level AA excellence.

Start Your Scan NowView Plans & Pricing