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Referencing and Applying WCAG 2.0 in Different Contexts
International Standard Accessibility Policies Web Applications Mobile Web
W3C Workshop on 23 May 2013 in Brussels, Belgium

Introduction

W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) invited participants to share their experiences using Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and its supporting resources in different policy settings and contexts. In this W3C Workshop we explored approaches for:

• Developing and updating policies for harmonized uptake of the WCAG 2.0 international standard
• Applicability of WCAG 2.0 to dynamic content, web applications, mobile web, and other areas
• Addressing HTML5 and other emerging technologies in web accessibility policies

Invitation

This W3C Workshop was open to policy-makers, users, developers, accessibility experts, researchers, and others interested in adopting, referencing, and applying WCAG 2.0. We invited participants to:

• Discuss approaches for referencing and adopting WCAG 2.0
• Exchange experiences with implementing policies that reference WCAG 2.0
• Share resources that support the implementation of WCAG 2.0
• Identify priorities for further developing resources and support material

Workshop Results

This W3C Workshop brought together over 40 participants from Europe and around the world.

• Synthesized report summarizing the discussion.
• Synopsis of the discussion from the entire day.

Background

The UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and many regional and national policies on accessibility of information technologies have increased people's interest in accessibility of the Web. In turn, many organizations and governments are adopting the W3C/WAI guidelines in accessibility policies for the Web, in order to ensure that people can access the Web regardless of disability. This includes the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), accessibility guidelines for web browsers and media players (UAAG), and for web authoring tools (ATAG).

As organizations and governments migrate to WCAG 2.0, questions arise on how to best implement the guidelines in practice. This includes questions on how to best take advantage of the framework provided in WCAG 2.0 to address the continual evolution of web technologies such as WAI-ARIA and HTML5, the convergence of the Web with mobile and digital television, and how to utilize current and planned supporting resources such as Techniques for WCAG 2.0, and Understanding WCAG 2.0 documents. Some of these questions include:

• How can WCAG 2.0, which is also ISO/IEC 40500, be freely adopted and referenced in policies on web accessibility?
• How applicable is WCAG 2.0 to web applications, mobile web, social media, digital publishing, and other contexts?
• What is the role of WCAG 2.0 Techniques, how are they developed, and when will techniques for HTML5 be ready?
• What is the role of WAI-ARIA, IndieUI, and other accessibility specifications, and how do they relate to HTML5?
• How does one determine accessibility support in web technologies, dynamic content, or mobile web applications?
• What are the supporting resources, guidance, and tools around WCAG 2.0, and what translations exist for these?

This workshop provides an opportunity to exchange best practices on these and other questions, and to share strategies on promoting harmonized uptake of WCAG 2.0 internationally.

Workshop Agenda

This is the agenda overview. A full agenda is available.

• 09:00 - 10:00 Registration (with continental breakfast)
• 10:00 - 10:10 Welcome and logistics - Shadi Abou-Zahra, W3C/WAI
• 10:10 - 10:30 Opening words and overview - Judy Brewer, W3C/WAI
• 10:30 - 12:00 Session I: Implementation Challenges
• 12:00 - 13:00 Lunch Break
• 13:00 - 14:30 Session II: International Harmonization
• 14:30 - 15:00 Coffee Break
• 15:00 - 16:30 Session III: Application of WCAG 2.0
• 16:30 - 17:00 Summary of the day and closing - Judy Brewer, W3C/WAI
• 17:00 - 17:30 Afternoon Coffee (optional networking)

Workshop Venue

The workshop took place on 23 May 2013 in Brussels, Belgium at the Diamant Conference and Business Center:

Accommodation

Reduced room rates were available until 7 May 2013 at the Thon Hotel EU:

Contact Information

This W3C Workshop is organized and carried out through the European Commission funded WAI-ACT Project. Contact Shadi Abou-Zahra if you have questions.

Workshop organizers: Shadi Abou-Zahra and Judy Brewer.

Status: Updated $Date: 2014/08/31 15:06:13 $