WCAG 2.0 is finalised
Source: WCAG 2.0 Press Release
11 December 2008
W3C web standard WCAG 2.0 becomes an official recommendation
Today the W3C announced a new international standard for web accessibility that now becomes the formal recommendation, superceeding the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines WCAG 1.0.
WCAG 2.0 addresses barriers to accessing the web experienced by people with disability and by older web users with accessibility needs. WCAG 2.0 explains how to make content:
- Perceivable (for instance by addressing text alternatives for images, captions for audio, adaptability of presentation, and color contrast)
- Operable (by addressing keyboard access, color contrast, timing of input, seizure avoidance, and navigability)
- Understandable (by addressing readability, predictability, and input assistance)
- Robust (for instance by addressing compatibility with assistive technologies)
The process has drawn on extensive experience and community feedback, and takes into account the range of web technologies now in use, including accessibility across the full range of Web content (such as text, images, audio, video) and Web applications.
"Because WCAG 2.0 applies to all Web technologies, it can help ensure that the Web stays open to people with disabilities even as we continually introduce new technologies. We incorporated feedback from thousands of comments received during the development of WCAG 2.0 regarding user needs, and technical feasibility," said Dr. Gregg Vanderheiden, Co-Chair of WCAG Working Group, and Director of the Trace R&D Center at the University of Wisconsin. "WCAG 2.0 represents the outcome of a major collaborative effort, and its final form is widely supported by industry, disability organizations, research and government. This balance is important in order for WCAG 2.0 to serve as a unifying international standard for Web accessibility."
The W3C and other web standards organisations have developed extensive supporting materials to help developers and policy-makers include WCAG 2.0 within their web development process. In Australia the Web Industry Professionals Association (WIPA) has also been running a series of workshops the introducing changes and recommendations for website accessibility.
"In the recently passed United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, access to information and communications technologies is for the first time recognized internationally as a human right," according to George Kerscher, Secretary General of the DAISY Consortium. "WCAG 2.0 will help to make access to information a reality around the world."
WCAG 2.0 resources
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0: the new W3C Recommendation effective 11 December 2008
- Understanding WCAG 2.0: A guide to understanding and implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0
- Migrating from WCAG 1.0 to WCAG 2.0: WIPA Paper
- WCAG 2.0 Announcement: W3C Web Standard Defines Accessibility for Next Generation Web
- Web Accessibility Initiative: W3C WAI Home Page
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