(Proposed) Accessibility Conformance Testing (ACT) Task Force Work Statement

This page is part of the proposed work described in Accessibility Conformance Testing for W3C. See also: Related pages: ACT Deliverables

Introduction

The [proposed] Accessibility Conformance Testing (ACT) Task Force is a task force of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (WCAG WG). It operates under the WCAG WG Charter, and assists the group with the work identified below.

Status

This Work Statement is a proposal for review and discussion in the Automated WCAG Monitoring Community Group (auto-WCAG). It has not been approved and is not operational.

Objective

The objective of this [proposed] Accessibility Conformance Testing (ACT) Task Force is to develop a framework and repository of test rules, to promote a unified interpretation of WCAG 2.0 among different web accessibility test tools. The proposed framework will be generic enough to meet the needs of WCAG 2.0 but not exclude other standards, including future versions of WCAG. The framework will also allow the development of custom test rules to meet company requirements and best practices. This includes test rules for fully automated and semi-automated conformance testing in different web technologies, such as HTML, CSS, and WAI-ARIA. While this framework will adds a layer of implemention for tool developers, it provides more consistency and comparability of the resulting test rules.

The [proposed] work includes:

• ACT Framework: Document specifying the format, logic, and implementation of the test rules. This document is expected to become a W3C Recommendation.
• ACT Benchmark Method: Document specifying the procedure for validating test rules. This may be a W3C Note or part of the ACT Framework document (above).
• ACT Benchmark Tool: Software built according to the ACT Framework and ACT Benchmark Method, to help check the validity of test rules to these documents.
• ACT Rule Suite Repository: Authoritative set of approved test rules are developed by auto-WCAG or submitted to W3C in accordance with the W3C Patent Policy.
• ACT Rule Suite Frontend: Web-based user interface (application) for submitting, validating, versioning, and presenting a collection test rules to the public.

The auto-WCAG wiki provides further description of these deliverables.

Approach

This work will be largely based on the resources already developed by Auto-WCAG. Only the ACT Framework and ACT Benchmark Method documents are expected to be developed directly within this task force. The remaining deliverables are expected to continue being developed within Auto-WCAG, with oversight by the task force. This is to maximize participation and leverage contribution by the broader community, while ensuring close coordination and harmonization with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The deliverables to be developed within Auto-WCAG are expected to become the reference implementations for the development of the ACT Specification as a W3C Recommendation. The initial focus of this work will be on automated testing for WCAG 2.0 Level AA using HTML, CSS, and ARIA.

Dependencies

The [proposed] Accessibility Conformance Testing (ACT) Task Force depends on:

• WCAG WG to ensure accurate interpretation and representation of WCAG requirements;
• Auto-WCAG to utilize this group's previous and current work on conformance testing.

The [proposed] Accessibility Conformance Testing (ACT) Task Force will also coordinate with relevant W3C groups and activities on testing and quality assurance. This may include groups such as Browser Testing and Tools Working Group. The task force may also coordinate with the Education and Outreach Working Group (EOWG) where necessary to improve the writing, presentation, and educational value of the developed materials.

Communication

The communications of the [proposed] Accessibility Conformance Testing (ACT) Task Force are publicly visible. Communication mechanisms include:

• Up-to-date task force homepage
• Publicly archived mailing list
• Public GitHub and Wiki spaces
• Public group surveys and minutes
• Regular updates to the WCAG WG
• Scheduled deliverable reviews

Participation

To join this (proposed) Accessibility Conformance Testing (ACT) Task Force, individuals must be participants of WCAG WG. Participants are expected to actively contribute to the work of the task force, including:

• Minimum 4 hours per week of task force work (this time also counts towards the individual's participation requirement in the WCAG WG);
• Remain current on the task force mailing list and respond in a timely manner to postings;
• Participate regularly in task force telephone meetings, or send regrets ahead of time.

Contributions

Participation and contribution to the resources developed in auto-WCAG CG is open to any member of the public. Participation is expected at ideally no less that 2 hours per week with an average of 4 hours. Organizations and individuals specifically are invited to contribute their test rules through the process, once the ACT Framework specification and ACT Benchmark Method are sufficiently mature and stable (eg. Candidate Recommendation stage).

Leadership

• Task force facilitators: TBD
• Task force staff contact: Shadi Abou-Zahra

Participants

• Deque Systems
• IBM
• DAISY Consortium
• SSB BART Group
• ...more to come. Interested? Let us know!

Patent Policy

This Task Force is part of the WCAG WG Charter, which operates under the W3C Patent Policy (5 February 2004 Version). W3C maintains a public list of any patent disclosures made in connection with the deliverables of the WCAG WG.