Accessibility document (and general interest) comparing approaches in MWBP and WCAG

There is a pending item from a year ago that is still unresolved, 
"summarize different perspectives of WCAG and MWBP" [1] (at the end of 
the page). From minutes I can recall the discussion was "Is there [text] 
somewhere in the document that explains the different mindsets behind 
the mobile web BP and WCAG?" and "if you follow the [thinking], you 
would expect more overlap of the documents MWBP and WCAG. Different 
perspectives prevent this."

It is clear that the two camps, the MWBP and WCAG WGs have quite 
different approaches and expectations and this interesting aspect hasn't 
been covered yet and users of the documents will wonder about it and how 
it affects them.

I'm wary of walking into a minefield, but here are a few reflections on 
the similarities and differences to discuss:

WCAG is about people's intrinsic (dis)abilities: mind and body.
MWBP is about devices, networks and surroundings: electronics.

WCAG is about non-discrimination, about human rights.
MWBP is about encouraging technology adoption, avoiding Web fragmentation.

WCAG is often legal requirement.
MWBP is often commercial requirement.

WCAG 2.0 is testable, often measurable.
MWBP is not (although there are separate tests).

regards,

Alan


[1] 
http://www.w3.org/2005/MWI/BPWG/Group/TaskForces/Accessibility/drafts/pending.html

-- 
Alan Chuter
Departamento de Usabilidad y Accesibilidad
Consultor
Technosite - Grupo Fundosa
Fundación ONCE
Tfno.: 91 121 03 30
Fax: 91 375 70 51
achuter@technosite.es
http://www.technosite.es

Received on Wednesday, 18 February 2009 12:56:57 UTC