W3C WAI

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an international public-interest non-profit organization where Member organizations, a full-time staff, and the public work together to develop Web standards. Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) is a key aspect of W3C’s work for the benefit of humanity.

This information extends the W3C Mission (vision, identity, design principles, strategic goals) to address accessibility specifics.

Mission

W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) develops strategies, standards, and supporting resources to make the web accessible to people with disabilities.

See Introduction to Web Accessibility and WAI Resources.

Vision

The W3C vision is that the Web and related technologies are accessible so that all people with disabilities around the globe can participate equally in the digital world. That includes:

• Accessibility standards/guidelines are harmonized globally.
• All technical standards and specifications support accessibility.
• Tools that create and deliver digital content support accessibility.
• Everyone who creates or manages digital products has relevant accessibility knowledge.
• New technologies, digital products, and content addresses accessibility from inception (“born accessible”).

High-Level Objectives

To contribute to realizing the vision, W3C addresses the following areas:

1. Specifications, standards, and technologies support accessibility:
   • Ensure that W3C specifications support accessibility.
   • Provide guidance on accessibility in other specifications and technologies.
2. International accessibility standards:
   • Facilitate international multi-stakeholder development and communication so the standards can be adopted and implemented internationally.
   • Develop technical specifications to support accessibility, such as WAI-ARIA and accessibility API mappings.
   • Develop accessibility standards/guidelines for relevant tools and content.
   • Provide guidance beyond what can be included in these standards, such as WCAG Supplemental Guidance.
3. Support understanding, adopting, and implementing accessibility:
   • Facilitate and promote translations of W3C accessibility standards and supporting resources.
   • Provide documentation on understanding and implementing accessibility standards.
   • Provide awareness and education resources, such as many listed in WAI Resources.
4. Accessibility research:
   • Encourage effective international research to provide a solid basis for accessibility standards.
   • Conduct horizon scanning.

Current Work and News

Current work is introduced in What We’re Working On - Accessibility Activities and Publications.

New WAI publications, draft documents for review, and other WAI announcements are listed on the News page.

You can subscribe to get news announcements via e-mail, Atom/RSS feed, and social media from Get WAI News.

WAI Staff

• Shawn Lawton Henry is Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Program Lead; Accessibility Education and Communications Lead.
• Kevin White is Accessibility Technical Lead and supports the Accessibility Guidelines Working Group that develops Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
• Roy Ruoxi Ran (冉若曦) supports accessibility Working Groups and accessibility in China.
• Daniel Montalvo supports accessibility Working Groups and standards harmonization.
• Ken Franqueiro develops the new technical architecture for WCAG 2, WCAG 3, and the WAI website.
• Tamsin Ewing supports accessibility communications, educational resources, and Working Group deliverables.

To reach all WAI staff, you can e-mail wai@w3.org

WAI Working Groups

WAI includes the following Working Groups and Interest Group:

• Accessibility Guidelines Working Group (AG WG) (formerly the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Working Group)
• Accessible Platform Architectures (APA) Working Group
• Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) Working Group
• WAI Interest Group (WAI IG) hosts an e-mail discussion list that is open to anyone

Within the Working Groups, there are also Task Forces.

Learn more about Participating in WAI.