Research Questions Task Force - update

Background
The Research Questions Task Force (RQTF) is a Task Force of the APA Working Group. Stated informally, its purpose is to engage researchers and to identify relevant research findings which address questions arising from the development of accessibility considerations in W3C specifications. These research questions, typically identified in consultation with APA, reflect knowledge gaps uncovered in the course of enhancing the accessibility of W3C technologies. The RQTF is principally, though not exclusively, intended to inform APA Working Group activities, notably the review of W3C working drafts and APA's coordination with the groups responsible for those specifications. However, the Research Questions Task Force is also available to examine questions that emerge from other WAI groups.
The Task Force home page is at https://www.w3.org/WAI/APA/task-forces/research-questions/
Current Activities
The Research Questions task Force has taken up several topics referred to it by APA, including accessibility issues raised by CAPTCHA, accessible means of authentication, personalization of user interfaces for accessibility, and accessibility issues posed by the Web of Things. The expected schedule for reporting findings to APA in regard to each of these topics varies. Nevertheless, substantial progress has been made toward preparing findings that will inform a proposed APA Working Group revision of the W3C Note entitled Inaccessibility of CAPTCHA. This is expected to be a relatively short-term Task Force deliverable. Concretely, much of the work so far has concentrated on a review of relevant research literature and a discussion of the conclusions to be drawn therefrom.
Coordination
I expect probable near-term coordination with the WAI Interest Group regarding Task Force work on CAPTCHA.  In addition, prior to the new Charter, the Silver Task Force of the then WCAG Working Group had inquired about the availability of methodological advice from RQTF that would inform the design of its own research efforts. This, too, is a likely area of  further coordination. Coordination may also occur (as discussed at TPAC 2016) with the EO Working Group regarding Task Force activities.
I am available to answer questions about RQTF and to discuss any topics emerging from the work of your respective groups that could be taken up within the scope of the Task Force.


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