RE: Web Of Things Technical Accessibility Issues.

I would like to pose the following question for consideration, which is motivated by previous discussion of this topic.

Whenever Web-connected devices in the environment are accessed or controlled by software that has a user interface, then that user interface is subject to accessibility requirements. These requirements can be met by following accessible user interface design practices that are informed by W3C Guidelines. The technologies of the user interface implementation also play a role; but it appears that, for the most part if not entirely, the "Web of things" protocols are not directly engaged in the accessibility issues.

However, there are potential applications of the Web of Things that would satisfy needs specific to people with disabilities, or satisfy more general needs in ways that specifically solve problems for those with disabilities. These applications may or may not be actualized in implementation. Whether or not these applications are developed and implemented is not a question of accessibility as generally understood. Nevertheless, a case can be made for identifying and developing them. It's possible that some of these applications may create requirements for Web of Things-connected devices or for the capabilities of the underlying protocols (e.g., what kinds of data are transferred from specific types of hardware).

Thus, I think part of the challenge associated with this topic is that it isn't primarily a question of "accessibility" as such, and that we shouldn't try to force the discussion to fit within that framework.

Thus, my question is to what extent the above comment is accurate - to what extent is it a matter of opportunities for building applications to meet specific needs, rather than of making applications that would otherwise be created more universally designed and more accessible?

-----Original Message-----
From: Joshue O Connor <joconnor@w3.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2019 7:12 AM
To: RQTF <public-rqtf@w3.org>
Cc: public-apa@w3.org; group-apa-chairs@w3.org; Judy Brewer <jbrewer@w3.org>; Shadi Abou-Zahra <shadi@w3.org>; WAI Team <w3t-wai@w3.org>
Subject: Web Of Things Technical Accessibility Issues.

Hi all,

The following is a link to a doc that captures some of my thoughts on technical issues for further discussion in the WoT space. [1]

I hope this acts as a good spring board for further discussion in RQTF/APA.

Looking forward to discussing!

Any comments or questions welcome.

Josh

[1] https://nam01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2FWAI%2FAPA%2Fwiki%2FWot_technical&amp;data=02%7C01%7Cjjwhite%40ets.org%7C2e69e196aad440bde67d08d6ee5da5fb%7C0ba6e9b760b34fae92f37e6ddd9e9b65%7C0%7C0%7C636958483322209388&amp;sdata=ojtfUDOg5vRxUniQGRdcxGJ9fh6Z%2BpOLFY571qOw%2FkU%3D&amp;reserved=0


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Emerging Web Technology Specialist/A11y (WAI/W3C)



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Received on Monday, 17 June 2019 14:44:15 UTC