Ethical Web Principles doc review

Evaluation for APA: Ethical Web Principals
Content Reviewed: Ethical Web Principles  - W3C Group Draft Note 19 March
2024
Content Location:
https://www.w3.org/TR/2024/DNOTE-ethical-web-principles-20240319/
Date Created: 5/18/2024
Date Reviewed: 5/18/2024
Reviewer: Dr. Keith Newton
Overview

W3C's Ethical Web Principles (W3C Group Draft Note 19 March 2024) outline
guidelines for developing web technologies that support a positive social
impact. Key principles include ensuring the web does not cause societal
harm, supports healthy communities, respects privacy, enables freedom of
expression, and remains accessible and inclusive for all people. The
document emphasizes the importance of transparency, environmental
sustainability, and user control over web content. These principles are
designed to guide the development of web standards and technologies to
create a more ethical and beneficial web platform.

Document References to Accessibility:
The document refers to accessibility in two sections:  There are general
statements about accessibility and disabled users in two (2) sections of
content.  They are as follows:

Section 1: Introduction
"We strive to maintain a strong ethical framework as a differentiator for
the web platform, for example an emphasis on internationalization,
accessibility, privacy, and security,"


This section includes accessibility conceptually as part of a methodology
emphasizing internationalization, accessibility, privacy, and security, the
authors work to promote creation of web platforms in ways that are
ethically sound and user-centric.  In this accessibility is weighted
equally with other concepts including the following:


* Promoting decisions made in development process are morally and socially
responsible
* Suggesting commitment to ethical practices are unique selling points
* Encouraging designing and developing web technologies tin ways that can
be easily adapted for different languages and regions globally
* Creating web technologies that people with disabilities are able to
perceive, understand, navigate, and interact effectively
* Ensuring that web technologies respect and protect individuals' data
* Protecting users operating web technologies from malicious attacks,
unauthorized access, and other security threats

Section 2.4: The web is for all people
“The web platform and the tools we use to create it must be accessible to
people with disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech,
cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities. Anyone should
be able to meaningfully participate in the creation of specifications, user
agents, and content, and the platform should enable a fully accessible end
user experience.”


The statement emphasizes that web technologies stresses that web platform
technologies must be designed to support accessibility from the outset,
ensuring consistent and intuitive behavior across different contexts and
devices. It underscores the need for inclusivity in both the development
process and the end user experience, and allowing people with disabilities
have equity in contributing to and benefiting from the web with equity.

Recommendations

Existing Statements
I think to help their statement have some weight, the team place additional
focus on inclusivity, participation, and equity.

Variation 1

To ensure an inclusive web, the platform and the tools used to build it
must be accessible from the outset. Tools must support individuals with
conditions including but not limited to visual, auditory, physical, speech,
cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities, and the
foundation must enable consistent and intuitive behavior across various
contexts and devices. Persons of all abilities should have the opportunity
to meaningfully participate in creating specifications, user agents, and
content across platforms. Delivery must support a fully accessible end-user
experience, promoting equity by allowing people with disabilities to
contribute to and benefit from the web equally.

Variation 2

Web technologies must be designed to support accessibility from the
beginning, ensuring that the platform and its tools are usable by people
with disabilities, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive,
language, learning, and neurological disabilities. This commitment ensures
consistent and intuitive functionality across different contexts and
devices and recognizes that inclusivity in the development process is
crucial, allowing everyone to contribute to the creation of specifications,
user agents, and content. The platform should provide a fully accessible
end-user experience, enabling people with disabilities to participate and
benefit from the web with equity.


Possible Additions

There is an opportunity to include statements regarding detailed
guidelines, continuous evaluation, and comprehensive resources for
inclusive development practices and metrics.  Itt may be worth
consideration to include something like a detailed appendix or section with
links to key accessibility resources (For example: highlight the importance
of regular accessibility audits and user feedback loops as a process that
supports a fully accessible end-user experience as part of ethical
guidelines).

Conclusion

Ethical Web Principles outlined by the W3C provide essential guidelines
that propose developing web technologies that are socially responsible and
ethically sound by prioritizing accessibility, these principles ensure that
people with disabilities can fully engage with and benefit from the web.
The emphasis on inclusive development processes and equitable participation
highlights the importance of creating a web that is intuitive and
consistent across different contexts and devices. By following these
principles, developers can contribute to a web that supports a healthy,
secure, and inclusive digital environment, benefiting users worldwide and
upholding the values of fairness and accessibility

*Dr.  Keith Newton *(Call me "Dr. Keith")
Executive Leader and Strategic a11y in Digital Accessibility Experience
614-654-4116 <%28614%29%20654-4116> |
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-keith-newton  | newtonsgroove2@gmail.com