IBM Interviews Judy Brewer of WAI
IBM interviewed Judy Brewer of the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI). The WAI just released the WCAG 2.0 standard for Web Accessibility. Judy discussed the accomplishments of WCAG 2.0. Below is a snip from the interview.
There are many improvements in WCAG 2.0, which W3C/WAI finalized in December 2008, as compared with the previous version.
- WCAG 2.0 can be applied to any technology used on the Web, so it is more flexible for developers. For instance, WCAG 2.0 allows the use of scripting. WCAG 2.0 therefore opens up all types of Web content to be more accessible for people with disabilities and older users.
- The provisions in WCAG 2.0 can be more precisely tested. This enables developers to know when they have met the requirements of the standard.
- WCAG 2.0 was tested successfully across a broad range of Web technologies, languages, and types of Web sites before it was finalized; so, developers can use it with confidence.
- WCAG 2.0 is accompanied by extensive technical materials that provide developers with proven design approaches, but which also allow developers to use their own innovations to meet the requirements of WCAG 2.0, and to share their innovations with other developers.
- WCAG 2.0 was developed with input and implementation experience from all over the world. It is expected to become the unifying standard for Web content accessibility.
Item 4 above is of particular interest. No one will have an excuse not to implement WCAG 2.0. There are resources and samples available to help any development effort. If you have not read the IBM interview it is worth the time, ( WCAG 2.0 and the Future of Web Accessibility). Great post IBM!