WCAG 3 Timeline: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
The Accessibility Guidelines Working Group is following an agile process to better support the developmental approach needed to create new standard.


== Publication Plan ==
The Accessibility Guidelines Working Group intends to follow an agile approach for developing WCAG 3.0. Our goal is to work in a way that allows us to rapidly develop new concepts, to test those, gather feedback about them, and iterate on those concepts. This is done in a structured approach, such as through [https://github.com/w3c/silver/wiki#Subgroups temporary subgroups], and by using [https://w3c.github.io/silver/guidelines/#section-status-levels status levels].


=== Testing Approach (Updated working draft)  ===
Priorities are decided, not years in advance, but as new concepts are developed and as feedback comes in. Our processes themselves are regularly evaluated and iterated on to optimize our ability to develop WCAG 3 into a high quality, future-proof, and equitable standard. In deciding priorities, the accessibility guidelines will ensure regular and open collaboration with stakeholders, including people with disabilities, industry, and the W3C Advisory Committee.
* '''Includes:''' Updated testing section including proposed scopes and remove content the working group has agreed will not work based on comments and discussion
* '''Target Date:''' January/February 2023


=== Conformance Exploration (Updated working draft and wide review) ===
== Publication Plan ==
* '''Includes:''' 1-3 conformance alternatives, at least 2 example guidelines, accessibility supported, and initial guideline listing
'''Note:''' This plan is a living document and will be updated as needed.
* '''Target Date:''' TBD 2023


=== Conformance Approach (Updated working draft) ===
{| class="wikitable"
* '''Includes:''' Updated Working Draft with detailed conformance model and at least 5 examples guidelines
|-
* '''Target Date:''' TBD
! Quarter !! Guidelines !! Conformance
|-
|
2023 Q4
||
* Work in subgroups to create initial outcomes for exploration
* Create initial outcome format and standardize wording
* Create criteria for guidelines and outcomes that will be worked on initially (example: research or self evident)  
||
* Begin Requirements Discussion
** Resolve issues raised in Github
** Address concerns raised in Conformance Challenges Document
* Begin conversation on [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yzR1H0SnNFRELGchb_BJr4Necsrj6xVjDF1n7Tc0kTc/edit#gid=1247745107 WCAG 3 core issues] in GitHub
** Publication Approach
** Evaluating Proposed Conformance Models
|-


=== ATAG and UAAG Plan (Updated working draft and wide review) ===
| 2024 Q1 ||
* '''Includes:''' Updated Working Draft and examples guidelines with ATAG and UAAG methods if decided on
* Organize and deduplicate outcomes list
* '''Target Date:''' TBD
* '''Publish next exploratory guidelines, user needs and/or outcomes''' (Exactly what will be published TBD)
* Select and prioritize outcomes for work based on selection criteria (Initial set)
* Deep dive into a single outcome using writing testable outcomes process (Rewrite writing testable outcomes must be done first)
||
* Conclude Requirements Discussion
* Begin discussion of WCAG 3 core issues in meetings
** Publication Approach
** Evaluating Proposed Conformance Models
|-
| 2024 Q2 ||
* Subgroups begin work on outcomes that meet selection criteria
* Initial list of assertions for consideration
* Discuss contributors list format
||
* Continue discussion of WCAG 3 core issues in Github and meetings (topic TBD)
* Discuss conformance models
|-
| 2024 Q3 ||
* Subgroups continue work on initial outcomes
||
* Retrospective (TPAC)
* '''Publish updated exploratory conformance model(s) or options'''
* '''Publish updated WCAG 3 Explainer (Including release plan)'''
* Continue discussion of Core Issues
|-
| 2024 Q4 ||
* Subgroups continue work on initial outcomes 
||
* Continue discussion of Core Issues
* Review and address public comments (including Silver, WCAG3 and WCAG2.next)
|-
| 2025 Q1 ||  
* '''Publish initial developmental list of outcomes'''
||
* Retrospective (CSUN)
* Continue discussion of Core Issues
* Review and address public comments
|-
| 2025 Q2 ||
* Review and address public comments
* Subgroups start work on additional outcomes
||
* Continue discussion of Core Issues
* Review and address public comments
|-
| 2025 Q3 ||
* Review and address public comments
* Subgroups start work on additional outcomes
||
* Retrospective (TPAC)
* Continue discussion of Core Issues
* Review and address public comments


=== Updated Guidelines (Updated working draft, Wide review ever 5 guidelines) ===
|-
* '''Includes:''' At least 1 new guideline and updates to existing guidelines
| 2025 Q4
* '''Target Date:''' Rolling
||
* '''Publish updated developing outcomes list'''
* Subgroups start work on additional outcomes
||
* '''Publish developing conformance model(s) or options'''
* '''Publish updated WCAG 3 Explainer (Including release plan)'''
|-
|}


== Status ==
== Status ==
Decisions made on WCAG 3 at the exploratory and developmental stages help shape the direction we are moving in and may be revisited and changed as the group learns more. As we progress, changing directions will occur less frequently. Below is a list of the decisions made to date.
Decisions made on WCAG 3 at the exploratory and developmental stages help shape the direction we are moving in and may be revisited and changed as the group learns more. As we progress, changing directions will occur less frequently. Below is a list of the decisions made to date.
 
*'''Use Item, View, Task Flow and Product''' 10 September 2024
* '''Explore options 2 and 3 for structure in the first subgroup and report back''' 27 February 2024
* '''The initial selection of outcomes to work on should cross categories and represent a mix of both concepts from WCAG 2.2 and new content''' 6 February 2024
* '''Continue building on redesign effort (Silver, Outcomes, etc) as the way to create WCAG 3 (with objections) ''' 23 January 2024
* '''Update WCAG 3 Working draft''' 20 July 2023
* '''Add test types PR to editor's draft''' 24 January 2023 Amend PR 666 and merge as exploratory
* '''Add assertions as exploratory''' 24 January 2023 Accept the new Assertions content as exploratory, acknowledging that the "what is a procedure" needs further definition.
* '''Level of assertions''' 17 January 2023 Bronze level would be where most 'outcome' based requirements will go, but we are not ruling out some assertions going at bronze level
* '''Documenting Assertions''' 17 January 2023  Limit the documentation required to information about the assertion itself. Recommend that organizations maintain documentation on the assertions.
* '''Possible Update to Architecture''' 15 September 2022 - Not a full resolution, but straw poll consensus on Informative vs. Normative at https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18W8M21acEeb5Z1ARdafTQc01_mzOvvjsS184_Qoma0c/edit#slide=id.g15a9271844c_1_21
* '''Update Test Section''' 12 September 2022: [https://www.w3.org/2022/09/12-ag-minutes#r01 Move content into exploratory with edits from MaryJo and text that clarifies the confusion point from Gundula.]
* '''Update Test Section ''' 2 August 2022: [https://www.w3.org/2022/08/02-ag-minutes#r01 Add "Evaluating Procedures" Proposal into testing section (replacing procedures) as Exploratory - Add as exploratory but bring it back in 3 weeks with updates to terminology and the editor's note]
* '''Update Test Section ''' 2 August 2022: [https://www.w3.org/2022/08/02-ag-minutes#r01 Add "Evaluating Procedures" Proposal into testing section (replacing procedures) as Exploratory - Add as exploratory but bring it back in 3 weeks with updates to terminology and the editor's note]
 
* '''User Agenda and AT''' Started 7 June 2022: [https://www.w3.org/2022/06/07-ag-minutes#resolution02 WCAG 3 Placeholder for User Agents and AT https://www.w3.org/2002/09/wbs/35422/accessibility_supported_placeholder/results - Add Placeholder text for User agents and AT]
* '''User Agenda and AT Started 7 June 2022: [https://www.w3.org/2022/06/07-ag-minutes#resolution02 WCAG 3 Placeholder for User Agents and AT https://www.w3.org/2002/09/wbs/35422/accessibility_supported_placeholder/results - Add Placeholder text for User agents and AT]
* '''Update to Working Draft''' 31 May 2022: [https://www.w3.org/2022/05/31-ag-minutes#resolution01 Removing guideline details and support materials - Approve, as amended today, the Maturity table, the editor's note process, and removing guideline details and support materials]
* '''Update to Working Draft''' 31 May 2022: [https://www.w3.org/2022/05/31-ag-minutes#resolution01 Removing guideline details and support materials - Approve, as amended today, the Maturity table, the editor's note process, and removing guideline details and support materials]
* '''Update to Working Draft''' 26 April 2022: Should we leave in critical errors? - [https://www.w3.org/2022/04/26-ag-minutes#r02 Remove ratings, critical errors, and scorings. Add editor's note similar to Critical errors was introduced as a concept in the FPWD. Although it not currently included, AGWG intends to re-asses this concept in the future.]
* '''Update to Working Draft''' 26 April 2022: Should we leave in critical errors? - [https://www.w3.org/2022/04/26-ag-minutes#r02 Remove ratings, critical errors, and scorings. Add editor's note similar to Critical errors was introduced as a concept in the FPWD. Although it not currently included, AGWG intends to re-asses this concept in the future.]
* '''Test Section Started''' 26 April 2022: What are outstanding questions on the new approach? - [https://www.w3.org/2022/04/26-ag-minutes#r03 Accept new questions in the survey, accept editorial content from the survey, add an outstanding question of whether to use "test" or "evaluation", add a question of "How tolerant are we of we of subjective tests and Should any test be not objective?]  
* '''Test Section Started''' 26 April 2022: What are outstanding questions on the new approach? - [https://www.w3.org/2022/04/26-ag-minutes#r03 Accept new questions in the survey, accept editorial content from the survey, add an outstanding question of whether to use "test" or "evaluation", add a question of "How tolerant are we of we of subjective tests and Should any test be not objective?]  
* '''Continue working on WCAG 3''' 5 April 2022 [https://www.w3.org/2022/04/05-ag-minutes#resolution01 Group agrees to continue working on WCAG 3 instead of iterating WCAG 2]
* '''Protocols Section Started''' 1 March 2022: WCAG 3 Protocols and Scoping Next Steps https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1b5xHQWBzoYdKp7BfPgIUBCpz-yaDOx_kSq_HlQxcFh0/ - [https://www.w3.org/2022/03/01-ag-minutes#r01 Group agrees to explore this direction, working on the next steps from the presentation]
* '''Protocols Section Started''' 1 March 2022: WCAG 3 Protocols and Scoping Next Steps https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1b5xHQWBzoYdKp7BfPgIUBCpz-yaDOx_kSq_HlQxcFh0/ - [https://www.w3.org/2022/03/01-ag-minutes#r01 Group agrees to explore this direction, working on the next steps from the presentation]
== Retrospective ==
This space is the parking lot for discussions that we are postponing until the next retrospective.
=== Risk Register ===
* Keeping pace with technology in the next few years
* Cost and difficulty of conforming to two versions at once
* Regulator adoption
* Transition
=== Other Questions ===
* What more we can do to alleviate concerns when publishing drafts while remaining transparent?

Revision as of 18:42, 10 September 2024

Overview

The Accessibility Guidelines Working Group intends to follow an agile approach for developing WCAG 3.0. Our goal is to work in a way that allows us to rapidly develop new concepts, to test those, gather feedback about them, and iterate on those concepts. This is done in a structured approach, such as through temporary subgroups, and by using status levels.

Priorities are decided, not years in advance, but as new concepts are developed and as feedback comes in. Our processes themselves are regularly evaluated and iterated on to optimize our ability to develop WCAG 3 into a high quality, future-proof, and equitable standard. In deciding priorities, the accessibility guidelines will ensure regular and open collaboration with stakeholders, including people with disabilities, industry, and the W3C Advisory Committee.

Publication Plan

Note: This plan is a living document and will be updated as needed.

Quarter Guidelines Conformance

2023 Q4

  • Work in subgroups to create initial outcomes for exploration
  • Create initial outcome format and standardize wording
  • Create criteria for guidelines and outcomes that will be worked on initially (example: research or self evident)
  • Begin Requirements Discussion
    • Resolve issues raised in Github
    • Address concerns raised in Conformance Challenges Document
  • Begin conversation on WCAG 3 core issues in GitHub
    • Publication Approach
    • Evaluating Proposed Conformance Models
2024 Q1
  • Organize and deduplicate outcomes list
  • Publish next exploratory guidelines, user needs and/or outcomes (Exactly what will be published TBD)
  • Select and prioritize outcomes for work based on selection criteria (Initial set)
  • Deep dive into a single outcome using writing testable outcomes process (Rewrite writing testable outcomes must be done first)
  • Conclude Requirements Discussion
  • Begin discussion of WCAG 3 core issues in meetings
    • Publication Approach
    • Evaluating Proposed Conformance Models
2024 Q2
  • Subgroups begin work on outcomes that meet selection criteria
  • Initial list of assertions for consideration
  • Discuss contributors list format
  • Continue discussion of WCAG 3 core issues in Github and meetings (topic TBD)
  • Discuss conformance models
2024 Q3
  • Subgroups continue work on initial outcomes
  • Retrospective (TPAC)
  • Publish updated exploratory conformance model(s) or options
  • Publish updated WCAG 3 Explainer (Including release plan)
  • Continue discussion of Core Issues
2024 Q4
  • Subgroups continue work on initial outcomes
  • Continue discussion of Core Issues
  • Review and address public comments (including Silver, WCAG3 and WCAG2.next)
2025 Q1
  • Publish initial developmental list of outcomes
  • Retrospective (CSUN)
  • Continue discussion of Core Issues
  • Review and address public comments
2025 Q2
  • Review and address public comments
  • Subgroups start work on additional outcomes
  • Continue discussion of Core Issues
  • Review and address public comments
2025 Q3
  • Review and address public comments
  • Subgroups start work on additional outcomes
  • Retrospective (TPAC)
  • Continue discussion of Core Issues
  • Review and address public comments
2025 Q4
  • Publish updated developing outcomes list
  • Subgroups start work on additional outcomes
  • Publish developing conformance model(s) or options
  • Publish updated WCAG 3 Explainer (Including release plan)

Status

Decisions made on WCAG 3 at the exploratory and developmental stages help shape the direction we are moving in and may be revisited and changed as the group learns more. As we progress, changing directions will occur less frequently. Below is a list of the decisions made to date.

Retrospective

This space is the parking lot for discussions that we are postponing until the next retrospective.

Risk Register

  • Keeping pace with technology in the next few years
  • Cost and difficulty of conforming to two versions at once
  • Regulator adoption
  • Transition

Other Questions

  • What more we can do to alleviate concerns when publishing drafts while remaining transparent?