W3C Accessibility Web Site

 

  "Maximum" Access.  The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) adopted a "second level" of accessibility features known as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Initiative 2.0 ((WCEG 2.0) also known as "Level 2." The U.S. government did not adopt the "Level 2" rules as part of the 508 accessibility standards.  As of 2006 these Level 2 rules are still under construction and are not final.  See the Level 2 Version description at the W3C web site. 

WCAG 2.0 is being developed to apply to different Web technologies, be easier to use and understand, and be more precisely testable, as documented in Requirements for WCAG 2.0. WAI anticipates WCAG 2.0 will be completed in 2006. Because of the nature of the W3C specification development process, WAI cannot be certain when the final version of WCAG 2.0 will be available. WCAG 1.0 will remain the latest approved version until WCAG 2.0 is complete

Web Designers in the United States should be very cautious in applying the WCAG Level 2 provisions, as many are inconsistent with the 508 rules and difficult to interpret or apply. Also, the Level 2 provisions have been neither finalized or adopted by federal or state legislatures or regulatory authorities.

• W3C Web Accessibility Initiative Home Page