Are WCAG Techniques considered normative or non-normative?

WCAG Techniques are considered non-normative because they serve primarily as supplemental guidance to help implement the normative requirements outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). While the techniques provide practical examples and illustrative methods for achieving compliance with the guidelines, they are not mandatory standards themselves. Instead, their role is to assist developers and designers in understanding how to effectively meet accessibility criteria.

Non-normative content is valuable as it enhances understanding and offers best practices but does not impose any obligation for compliance. Thus, while WCAG Techniques inform and support web accessibility efforts, adhering to them is not required to meet the core principles and criteria set forth in the WCAG. This distinction allows for flexibility in how organizations approach accessibility, using techniques that are relevant to their context and needs without being bound by specific practices outlined in the techniques document.