World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
"Leading the Web to its full potential"
- International, vendor-neutral consortium
- Multi-stakeholder, consensus process
- Open and royalty-free Web standards:
- HTML, CSS, XML, SVG, SMIL, ...
- Operates from MIT, ERCIM, and Keio
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
Develops strategies, guidelines, resources to make the Web accessible:
- Accessibility support in W3C technologies
- Guidelines for implementing accessibility
- Methods for evaluating accessibility
- Conducting education and outreach
- Coordinate with Research and Development
Components of Web Accessibility
WAI Guidelines
WAI develops web accessibility guidelines:
WCAG 2.0
W3C web standard since 11 December 2008:
- Technology-independent
- Objectively testable
- Flexible for situations
- Support for developers
Implementing Accessibility
What steps are needed to implement accessibility?
- Raise awareness and convey the basics
- Ensure clear commitment and policies
- Train developers, managers and others
- Share knowledge and promote exchange
- Evaluate, monitor, and assess issues
WAI Educational Resources
WAI develops educational resources:
- Introductions to web accessibility
- Business case, including case studies
- Guidance on policy and implementation
- Guidance on evaluating and retrofitting
Available from: http://www.w3.org/WAI/
WAI Training Material
WAI develops training material:
- Training topics and outlines
- Reusable presentation slides
- Suggested workshop program
- Handouts, flyers, and demo
Available from: http://www.w3.org/WAI/training
Translating WAI Resources
W3C provides two forms of translations:
- Voluntary Translations - carried out by individuals without any formal peer-review
- Authorized Translations - carried out by organizations in a community-review process
More information: http://www.w3.org/WAI/translation
Participating in WAI
Several ways to get involved with WAI:
- Review resources and send comments
- Engage in discussion on resources
- Translate and promote resources
- Actively contribute to development
