W3C releases new content accessibility guidelines for websites

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) released an update to its web accessibility guidelines this week known as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 [1]. Peter Hagopian at InformationWeek points out [2] that this is the first update in nine years. There have been many changes on the web since that time including the increased use of audio and video, and the update attempts to address these changes.

According to the W3C release on the new guidelines:

"WCAG 2.0 addresses barriers to accessing the web experienced by people with visual, auditory, physical, cognitive and neurological disabilities, and by older web users with accessibility needs."

The guidelines provide instructions on how to present content and how to work with web development tools and accessibility products to incorporate the recommendations. People with various disabilities face tremendous challenges when using the web and these guidelines aim to provide access to all people regardless of their abilities. Further, any company doing business with the United States government must make their sites accessible under the Section 508 [3] law, so it's in your best interest to understand these guidelines because they can assist in complying.

It's important that all companies try to make their sites accessible because everyone, regardless of their abilities should be able to access and use the Web. The W3C has put a lot of work into the update and the new guidelines should go a long way toward helping you do that.

For more information:
- see the W3C press release [4]

Related Articles:
Compliance news from FierceCIO [5]