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