Skip to main content

World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

Overview

Web accessibility means that people who have disabilities and others can perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute to the Web. The W3C develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential.

In order for the Web to be accessible, it is essential that several different components of Web development and interaction work together. These components include:

  • Content - the information in a Web page or Web application, including:
    • Information such as text, images, multimedia and applications.
    • Code or markup that defines structure, presentation, etc.
  • Web browsers, media players, and other "user agents".
  • Assistive technology, in some cases - screen readers, alternative keyboards, switches, scanning software, etc.
  • Users' knowledge, experiences, and in some cases, adaptive strategies for using the Web.
  • Developers - designers, coders, authors, etc., including developers with disabilities and users who contribute content.
  • Authoring tools - software used to create Web content.
  • Evaluation tools - Web accessibility evaluation tools.

A subgroup of the W3C, the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) develops guidelines and techniques that describe accessibility solutions. These WAI guidelines are considered the international standard for Web accessibility and cover all aspects of the previously mentioned components. The IBM HA&AC and Emerging Internet Technology teams are key members of the following groups developing accessibility guidelines:

One of the WAI's roles is to develop guidelines and techniques that describe accessibility solutions. These WAI guidelines are considered the international standard for Web accessibility and cover all aspects of the previously-mentioned components. The IBM HA&AC and Emerging Internet Technology teams are key members of the following groups developing accessibility guidelines:

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Working Group

The WCAG working group develops guidelines, techniques, and supporting resources for accessible Web content.

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 may also help 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) or constraints they may be operating under (e.g., noisy surroundings, under- or over-illuminated rooms, in a hands-free environment).

WCAG 1.0 was completed in 1999. It contains 65 checkpoints that provide guidance on:

  • Non-text content
  • Use of color
  • Proper markup including tables, headings, and lists
  • Input device independence
  • Navigation
  • Use of simple language and foreign languages

WCAG 2.0 is currently in development and is expected to be approved in 2008. When WCAG 1.0 was approved, the Internet consisted largely of static HTML pages. This is no longer the case and so WCAG 1.0 has become somewhat outdated for companies like IBM that are now focused on emerging Internet technologies. WCAG 2.0 is principle based, rather than technology based and can be applied to any Web technology that supports accessibility.


Last updated, July 27, 2007

WCAG Resources