Leading Accessibility Organizations Launch International Development Consortium

Australia, Europe, Japan and United States form Web Accessibility Tool Consortium (WAT-C). Organization to create and distribute real time web and software accessibility analysis tools via general public license.

(PRWEB) September 20, 2005 -- Organizations representing four continents announced the official launch of the Web Accessibility Tool Consortium (WAT-C, www.wat-c.org) today. The new consortium is developing a series of browser-based web accessibility analysis tools under a general public license agreement.

"By harnessing the passion, knowledge, and creativity of this international group of web accessibility practitioners," stated Steven Faulkner WAT-C founder, "We have a unique opportunity to provide tools to promote the understanding and development of an accessible web."

WAT-C is a collaboration of some of the world's leading accessibility practitioners and developers of free web accessibility testing software & services including:

- Accessible Information Solutions

- Infoaxia (http://www.infoaxia.co.jp/)

- Juicy Studio (http://www.juicystudio.com/)

- The Paciello Group (http://www.paciellogroup.com/)

- Wrong HTML (http://html.idena.jp/)

The consortium will promote and pursue software development goals including:

- Free web accessibility testing software

- Enhanced development of existing web accessibility testing tools

- The internationalization of web accessibility testing software

"There is an international movement to harmonize divergent web accessibility guidelines, such as WCAG by the W3C, Section 508 in the US, and JIS in Japan," Makoto Ueki of Infoaxia and co-founder of WAT-C. "We want to support this process through international collaboration in the development of tools to help all web developers produce accessible websites."

WAT-C will shortly release an updated version of the Web Accessibility Toolbar for Internet Explorer, and recently announced the release of a Colour Contrast Analyser utility. Accessibility toolbar versions for Mozilla/Firefox and Opera are in development.

About AIS

The Accessible Information Solutions team work with customers to help them deliver world best practice in web sites, online services that are accessible to all. Our experienced staff work with designers and developers during site development, undertake reviews of existing sites, carry out testing with users of assistive technology and conduct web accessibility workshops and training throughout Australia. For further information, visit http://accessibleinfo.org.au/.

About Infoaxia, Inc.

Infoaxia, Inc. is a group of experts on web accessibility and web technology. In Japan, we have web content accessibility guidelines as national standards (JIS X 8341-3). The company offers professional consulting, heuristic evaluation, user testing, training and technology solutions to help government agencies and major corporations make their web content accessible conforming to national and international standards. For more information, visit http://www.infoaxia.com/en/.

About Juicy Studio

Juicy Studio is an independent UK website that provides material and tools for best practice in web development. The focus of the site is on web standards, accessibility, and usability. For more information, see: http://juicystudio.com.

About The Paciello Group (TPG)

Founded by Mike Paciello, TPG is an international leader in Accessibility Consulting and Engineering. TPG is dedicated to helping corporations, government agencies and educational institutions make their IT resources accessible to all people, including those with disabilities. TPG offers professional consulting, technology solutions and monthly monitoring services to ensure that clients reach and maintain the ongoing accessibility of their digital assets. Further information on The Paciello Group can be found online at http://www.paciellogroup.com.

About Wrong HTML

Wrong HTML is a Japanese website that provides reference and tools on web accessibility and standards. The site helps web designers and developers to understand standards and build a standards-based website. For more information, visit: http://html.idena.jp/ (Japanese only).

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