Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Version 2 is released

On December 11th 2008 The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) launched version 2 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
http://www.w3.org/News/2008#item210

Following a number of years in draft status, version 2 of the guidelines is intended to make it easier for developers to adhere to the standards, make them easier to follow and test, therefore making websites much better for people with disabilities or alternative methods of using the Internet. Here it is hailed as A New Era for Web Accessibility

In brief the guidelines are:

• 1.1 Text Alternatives: Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language.
• 1.2 Time-based Media: Provide alternatives for time-based media.
• 1.3 Adaptable: Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout ) without losing information or structure.
• 1.4 Distinguishable: Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background.
• 2.1 Keyboard Accessible: Make all functionality available from a keyboard.
• 2.2 Enough Time: Provide users enough time to read and use content.
• 2.3 Seizures: Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures.
• 2.4 Navigable: Provide ways to help users navigate, find content and determine where they are.
• 3.1 Readable: Make text content readable and understandable.
• 3.2 Predictable: Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.
• 3.3 Input Assistance: Help users avoid and correct mistakes.
• 4.1 Compatible: Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.

All websites produced by Picseli will aim to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0.