A newly released document from WAI provides an opportunity for developers to comment as well as design test sites to the recommended standards for accessibility.

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) group of the W3C released WCAG2.0 Candidate Recommendation on April 30, and web developers and designers are invited to review the guidelines for newly recommended standards for web accessibility.

The purpose is to allow designers to comment on the developing standard aimed at improving website usability for disabled persons and elders, and volunteer to create test websites to fully meet A, AA, and AAA levels for accessibility.

One aspect will be particularly challenging for full AAA compliance, and that is optional content media for audio and video productions. For example, for a podcaster that would mean a text version of the program for hearing impaired, and videos would require alternate presentations of content for blind persons.

Podcasters using a script would find creating a text or readable PDF fairly simple.Alternate content for videos would be more challenging, yet for small business website owners, meeting the needs of disabled persons visiting your site is worth investigating.

In this early stage, designers are welcome to provide feedback on implementation obstacles or solutions, as well.

TAGS: advice accessibility wai web design

Labels: advice, design, podcast, websites