WAI-Core US Project
About WAI-Core
The WAI-Core US Project, funded by HHS, supports accessibility work at W3C. WAI-Core-funded staff lead the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) program and technical architecture for developing open, royalty-free standards and supporting resources through the W3C Process.
WAI-Core US Project staff lead work to:
- Develop standards, guidance, and supporting materials for accessibility of web sites, mobile apps, software, browsers, development tools, and other digital technology/information and communications technology (ICT)
- Review all W3C standards to ensure they support accessibility
- Develop technical specifications (such as WAI-ARIA) to fill gaps
- Document accessibility user requirements in emerging technologies and essential tools such as online meeting and collaboration tools, virtual or immersive environments (XR), and AI
How to Participate
We welcome contributions to the work under WAI-Core US.
Anyone can review and comment on drafts in development. To get notifications of drafts for review, you can subscribe to Get WAI News via email, RSS feed, LinkedIn, and other social media.
If you want to be more involved in developing the work, you may be interested in participating in a WAI Working Group.
- Accessibility Guidelines Working Group develops accessibility guidelines, including Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
- Accessible Platform Architectures Working Group reviews W3C charters, standards, and specifications for accessibility support; develops specifications to fill gaps; documents accessibility user requirements; and develops technical support material — including through a research task force working on accessibility and AI.
- ARIA Working Group develops technical specifications to support accessibility, including WAI- ARIA and application programming interface (API) mappings.
General information is available in Participating in WAI.
If you have any questions, contact Shawn Lawton Henry.
Project Staff
The following staff are primarily or partially supported by WAI-Core US funds:
- Shawn Lawton Henry, W3C, MIT
- Ken Franqueiro, W3C, MIT
- Lalana Kagal, MIT
- Michael Cooper, W3C, MIT (through July 2023)
- Judy Brewer, W3C, MIT (through December 2022)