A. Mission Statement * WAI/IPO User Agent Guidelines Working Group The working group will develop user interface guidelines that improve accessibility of WWW browsers, including improved navigation and orientation to information on WWW documents and scripting languages, and more flexible and enhanced presentation of document information to meet the needs of specific disabilities. The goal is to develop guidelines that allow people with disabilities to have equal access to the able-bodied peers. The guidelines should support features that benefit both novice and skilled computer users with disabilities. The group will also develop technical guidelines to help WWW browser and assistive technology vendors be aware of the strategies that are available to achieve the user interface guidelines. Code Name: WAI-UA * WAI-UA Working group tasks 1. User interface guidelines that improve the accessibility of WWW User Agents. · Develop a list of user interface specifications for improving access to browser technology. · Develop a list of features of current browser/operating system technology that improves accessibility of browsers. · Compare the two lists to identify differences between what is needed and what is available to persons with disabilities. · Present guidelines and comparison for public comment and input from browser and assistive technology developers, and representatives of sensory, motor and cognitive disability groups. 2. Technical guidelines on how assistive technology and browsers can work together to achieve features of the user interface guidelines. · Evaluate current browser technology for use of accessibility API in current operating systems · Develop a reference on the resources available for assistive technology developers to access browser technology · Survey browser developers on their ability to implement guideline features and ability to support assistive technology extensions for accessibility. · Survey assistive technology developers for their needs from browser developers for implementing browser recommendations. · Facilitate discussions and transfer of information between assistive technology developers and browser developers for setting standards on browser and assistive technology cooperation to implement the user interface guidelines. The end deliverables of this group are W3C WAI Recommendation for Web User Agent accessibility. * WAI-UA Timeline: Duration: 6 months. (Markup guidelines recommendation date) + 3 months. Which should put us around June 98. * WAI-UA Communication A mailing list (w3c-wai-ui@w3.org), a web area (www.w3.org/WAI/UA, and conference calls will be the normal way of communicating within the group. * Working Group People We encourage people whose area of competence are HTML, CSS, assistive technology, and User Agent Accessibility to join this group. For the work group to accomplish the stated objectives the membership must include representatives from disability groups, and browser and assistive technology developers. The group must represent the needs of a wide range of disabilities and computer skill levels of persons with disabilities. Jon Gunderson of University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign Rehabilitation Education Center will be the chair of this group. * Participation Level. Employees of W3C members and other invited technical experts are welcome and encouraged to participate in our listserv discussions (auto-subscription is not available, please contact the chair for subscription). If you want to join the WAI-UA working group and participate actively, please fill out the following form and send it to ======================================== WAI-UA working group participation form First Name: Last Name: Email Address: Telephone Number: Employer: Specific area of interest: ========================================