To provide a comprehensive look at Web accessibility principles, this Guide covers three sets of guidelines/standards:
The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) is responsible for implementing the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) commitment to making the Web accessible to all people. The WAI is a recognized authority for the development of Web accessibility guidelines. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 (WCAG 1.0) are internationally accepted and many standards and policies are derived from these guidelines.
WCAG 1.0 consists of 14 guidelines, presented in this publication as Questions, and checkpoints, presented as Solutions, which are sub-sections explaining how to implement each guideline. Each checkpoint has a priority level assigned based on the checkpoint's impact on accessibility.
A Web content developer must satisfy this checkpoint. Otherwise, one or more groups will find it impossible to access information in the document. Satisfying this checkpoint is a basic requirement for some groups to be able to use Web documents.
A Web content developer should satisfy this checkpoint. 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.
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.
[From WCAG 1.0 http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/#priorities]
Under its "Common Look and Feel (CLF) Standards and Guidelines for the Internet" (http://www.cio-dpi.gc.ca/clf-upe/a_e.asp), the Treasury Board of Canada has adopted the W3C Web Accessibility Guidelines Priority 1 and Priority 2 checkpoints "to ensure sites can be easily accessed by the widest possible audience." The CLF standards also address additional accessibility issues not covered by the W3C. These additional standards are included in their guide.
Federal institutions listed in Schedule 1, 1.1 and 2 of the Financial Administration Act (http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/F-11/index.html) must comply with the CLF Standards by December 31, 2002.
At the time of writing this guide, the Province is revising its "B.C. Government Internet Standards" to be "in alignment with the W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (complying with Priority 1 and considering Priority 2 checkpoints) so as to better address issues and mitigate barriers on government Web sites."
The standards apply to all government Internet sites, and all agencies, boards and commissions of the B.C. government that fall under the Financial Administration Act (http://www.qp.gov.bc.ca/statreg/stat/F/96138_01.htm). Crown corporations may choose to comply.