W3C
Founded in 1994, the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) is a consortium of over 500 member organizations, originally organized by the Organisation Européenne pour la Recherche Nucléaire (CERN) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The ongoing goal of the W3C is to "develop interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential as a forum for information, commerce, communication and collective understanding."
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) was started in 1997 to specifically address how to expand access to the Web for people with disabilities. The WAI recommendations are the result of years of research and collaborative effort resulting in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), or the Recommendations, as they are often referred to. The WCAG 1.0 Recommendations are organized into three levels of priority. Each checkpoint has a priority level assigned by the WAI based on the checkpoint's impact on accessibility.
Priority 1
Developers must satisfy Priority 1 checkpoints. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it impossible to access information in the document. Satisfying these checkpoints is a basic requirement for some groups to be able to use Web documents.
Priority 2
A Web content developer should satisfy these checkpoints. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it difficult to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint will remove significant barriers to accessing Web documents.
Priority 3
A Web content developer may address this checkpoint. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it somewhat difficult to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint will improve access to Web documents.
There are three levels of conformance to the Guidelines:
- Conformance Level "A" — all Priority 1 checkpoints are satisfied
- Conformance Level "B" — all Priority 1 and 2 checkpoints are satisfied
- Conformance Level "C" — all Priority 1, 2, and 3 checkpoints are satisfied
Links
World Wide Web Consortium
(http://www.w3.org)
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)
(http://www.w3.org/WAI)
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
1.0 (WCAG)
(http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10)
