IBM: Judy, can you tell us the primary differences between WCAG 1.0 and WCAG 2.0?
When we wanted to know about the latest developments in Web accessibility, we went straight to the source…
Judy Brewer directs the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) at the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). WAI guidelines developed through Judy's work include the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, adopted by an increasing number of governments around the world, and Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines and User Agent Accessibility Guidelines.
In this 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.
Read the first part of the interview…
IBM: Judy, how do you think the new WCAG 2.0 helps to address emerging technologies and the constantly evolving nature of the Web?
JB: As we talked about earlier, I really think that the multi-layered design of WCAG 2.0 is the essential piece. This design enables it to work well for today's Web technologies, and it will remain applicable to emerging technologies. That's because the general guidance will remain stable and the technology-specific techniques can be updated and expanded.
IBM: What do you feel are the implications for people with disabilities? How about public- and private-sector organizations?
JB: Because we expect the updated Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 to be more widely used, we anticipate, and hope, that this will have a broader impact on people with disabilities and older users, who should be able to find more reliable accessibility on many Web sites. The public sector will see improvements once they update their policy requirements from WCAG 1.0 or other guidelines to WCAG 2.0; and similarly for the business community, once they update their internal guidelines.
IBM: What's the next priority for the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative?
JB: At the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative, we are always working on many things at once. For example, currently we are:
- Planning to expand the technical reference materials for WCAG 2.0, and update and improve information on evaluation of Web content accessibility.
- Updating versions of two companion guidelines, one for browsers and media players, and one for authoring tools.
- Working on WAI-ARIA, which addresses Accessible Rich Internet Applications, and which will help make dynamic, interactive Web content accessible to people with disabilities.
- Continuing to produce a variety of online educational materials that can help developers better understand how to use our technical resources to improve their Web sites; help people with disabilities and older Web users follow up with inaccessible Web sites; and help other standards organizations understand how they can harmonize their work with WCAG 2.0.
IBM: Judy, thank you so much for spending some time with us and sharing your insights. It's been a pleasure and so informative.
JB: You're so very welcome. Thank you for your interest!
About W3C: The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential. W3C is a forum for information, commerce, communication, and collective understanding.
