Web Accessibility Guidelines (Judy Brewer and Ian Jacobs)
May 24, 1999
Talks concerning web accessibility include:
Web Accessibility Initiative &
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines by Judy Brewer
and
W3C Track, WAI Highlight: Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 by Ian Jacobs.
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) is a several
year effort by the W3C "to lead the Web to its full potential includes promoting a high degree of usability for people
with disabilities."
On May 5, 1999, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0
became a full W3C Recommendation.
The guidelines are intended for all Web content developers (page authors
and site designers) and for developers of authoring tools. The primary goal of these
guidelines is to promote accessibility. However, following them will also make Web
content more available to all users, whatever user agent they are using (e.g., desktop
browser, voice browser, mobile phone, automobile-based personal computer, etc.) or
constraints they may be operating under (e.g., noisy surroundings, under- or
over-illuminated rooms, in a hands-free environment, etc.). Following these guidelines will
also help people find information on the Web more quickly. These guidelines do not
discourage content developers from using images, video, etc., but rather explain how to
make multimedia content more accessible to a wide audience.
Brewer said, "Accessible design improves access for users of different devices:
mobile devices, handheld devices, TV, kiosks." The trend toward consumer devices
for web access makes this benefit very significant.
A FAQ Sheet
on the Web Accessibility Guidelines answers many typical questions. Sample questions include:
Related documents include:
A Quick Tips cards is available in quantities.
Robert Metcalfe: Not Eating His Words This Year
WWWhat Happened at WWW8?
XML Update (Dan Connolly)
|
