The WAI Technical Activity addresses barriers to Web accessibility on several levels. First, it seeks to ensure that the full range of core technologies of the Web, from HTML to the Semantic Web, is accessible. Barriers exist when these technologies lack features needed by users with visual, auditory, physical, cognitive or neurological disabilities, or when the accessibility potential in the technology is not implemented in Web applications or Web content. The WAI Technical Activity coordinates closely with the WAI International Program Office, which focuses on WAI education and outreach, research and development, and overall coordination of WAI activities.
The WAI Technical Activity also promotes implementation of accessibility improvements in Web technologies through development of a set of three WAI guidelines as Recommendations: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines; User Agent Accessibility Guidelines; and Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines. These guidelines describe accessibility features needed to achieve different levels of accessibility, and include reference checklists as well as implementation techniques. The WAI Technical Activity also develops techniques to improve tools for evaluation and repair of Web sites through the work of the Evaluation and Repair Tools Working Group.
The Protocols and Formats Working Group (PFWG):
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (WCAG WG):
The Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (AUWG):
The User Agent Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (UAWG):
The Evaluation and Repair Tools Working Group (ERT WG):
Protocols and Formats Working Group:
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Working Group:
Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines Working Group:
User Agent Accessibility Guidelines Working Group:
Evaluation and Repair Tools Working Group:
Group | Chair | Team Contact | Charter |
---|---|---|---|
Authoring Tool Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (participants) | Jutta Treviranus | Matt May | Chartered until 31 December 2006 |
Evaluation and Repair Tools Working Group (participants) | Shadi Abou-Zahra | Shadi Abou-Zahra | Chartered until 31 December 2006 |
Protocols and Formats Working Group (participants) | Alfred Gilman | Matt May | Chartered until 31 December 2007 |
User Agent Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (participants) | Jon Gunderson | Matt May | Chartered until 31 December 2006 |
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (participants) | Gregg Vanderheiden, John Slatin | Wendy Chisholm | Chartered until 31 December 2006 |
This Activity Statement was prepared for the 5-7 June 2005 W3C Advisory Committee Meeting (Members only) per the W3C Process Document section 5.
Judy Brewer, WAI Technical Activity Lead
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