12 June 2007

The most recent draft of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 has several key differences from the original draft, one expert has noted.

Patrick Lauke, writing for the Web Standards Project, noted that the first draft of the document generated "dissatisfaction or just plain bewilderment" among many of its readers.

However, in the year which has passed since that version, the WCAG working group has taken on board some of the criticisms it received, he claimed.

"One of the big points of contention of WCAG 2.0 was the newly introduced concept of baselines ... it's been turned around far more explicitly in favour of the users and it's far less likely to be misinterpreted (maliciously or not) by developers," stated Mr Lauke.

However, the expert also noted that one major criticism was the guidelines' failure to address the needs of some individuals with cognitive or learning difficulties - a situation that he states is not much improved.

Mr Lauke is the co-lead of the of the Accessibility Task Force and web editor at the University of Salford.

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