Copyright © 2012 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

Managing Website Accessibility Conformance

Shadi Abou-ZahraW3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)http://w3.org/People/shadi/

Copyright © 2012 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

WAI-ACT Project

Web Accessibility Initiative - Cooperation Framework for Guidance on Advanced Technologies, Evaluation Methodologies, and Research Agenda Setting to Support eAccessibility (WAI-ACT) – FP7 SSA:

• W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (W3C/WAI)

• Stiching Bartimeus Accessibility (SBA)

• FIT Web Compliance Center (Fraunhofer)

• Johannes Keppler University (JKU)

Copyright © 2012 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

Project Objectives

WAI-ACT builds on and extends WAI processes to address the following needs:

• Expanded cooperation in web accessibility

• Authoritative guidance on implementation

• Harmonized evaluation methodologies

• Coordinated research and development

Copyright © 2012 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

Authoritative Guidance

Authoritative guidance on the implementation of accessibility in advanced web technologies:

• Accessibility Support Database

• WCAG 2.0 Application Notes

• W3C Workshop on WCAG2 adoption

• Guidance for policy makers

Copyright © 2012 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

Harmonized Methods

Internationally harmonized methodologies to support evaluation of websites for accessibility:

• Website Conformance Evaluation Methodology

• Techniques for accessibility evaluation tools

• Guidance on finding and using evaluation tools

• Interactive guide for web accessibility evaluators

Copyright © 2012 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

Research Coordination

Common visions and contribution to a coordinated eAccessibility research agenda:

• Documenting eAccessibility research topics

• Exploration of eAccessibility research topics

Copyright © 2012 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

Project Highlights

Get involved in current and upcoming activities:

• Accessibility Support Database

• WCAG 2.0 Application Notes

• W3C Workshop on WCAG2 adoption

• Website Conformance Evaluation Methodology

• eAccessibility research explorations

Copyright © 2012 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

Accessibility Support

Goal: To provide a public repository of information on accessibility support in web technologies

• Collecting information using a test harness

• Public contribution of test data and reviews

• Strong focus on advanced web technologies

Status: Infrastructure in active development

Copyright © 2012 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

Application Notes

Goal: To provide authoritative guidance to support web accessibility implementators

• Address most frequent accessibility barriers

• Address use of advanced web technologies

• Address optimizations for specific contexts

Status: Active discussions and planning in the Education and Outreach Working Group (EOWG)

Copyright © 2012 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

Workshop on Adoption

Goal: To hold a W3C Workshop on Referencing and Adopting WCAG 2.0 in Practice

• Collect, discuss, and disseminate best practices

• International participation of key stakeholders

• Guidance on avoiding standards fragmentation

Status: Exploring potential venues

Copyright © 2012 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

Website Evaluation

Goal: To develop and internationally harmonized website accessibility evaluation methodology

• Selecting representative web page samples

• Guidance on evaluating samples using WCAG2

• Approach for aggregating evaluation results

Status: Active development in the WCAG 2.0 Evaluation Methodology Task Force (Eval TF)

Copyright © 2011 W3C (MIT, ERCIM, Keio)

Thank You

Shadi Abou-Zahra, W3C/WAIActivity Lead, WAI International Program Officehttp://w3.org/People/shadi/shadi@w3.org

Get information and get involved:http://w3.org/WAI/ACT/