Standards: you can develop technology without them, but the end result isn't always the smartest solution for end users. So when the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) recently issued the next-generation of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0), we wanted to know more about how the new standard would help make the Web more accessible for people with disabilities, older users, and everyone else. Naturally, we went straight to the source...
Judy Brewer directs the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) at the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Since September 1997, she has ensured that W3C technologies support accessibility,; developed accessibility guidelines, conducted education and outreach on Web accessibility, and monitored research and development that may impact the future accessibility of the Web. WAI guidelines developed through this work include the WCAG, adopted by an increasing number of governments around the world, and Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines and User Agent Accessibility Guidelines.
In the first of a two-part interview, Judy spoke to us about the new WCAG 2.0 guidelines and the challenges her group faced in developing the new principles.
In the second of a two-part interview, Judy discusses the new WCAG 2.0 guidelines and their impact on Web accessibility now and in the future.
