The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) has published a Working Group Note; Real-Time Communication Accessibility User Requirements (RAUR).
Real-time communication (RTC) provides real-time peer-to-peer audio, video, and data exchange directly between supported user agents. This enables instantaneous applications for video and audio calls, text chat, file exchange, screen sharing, and gaming.
As described by the W3C, the RAUR is an “informative W3C Working Group Note. It describes the needs of people with disabilities when using real-time communication applications. It includes requirements for RTC applications to be accessible. It is for designers and developers who are involved in creating RTC applications. It is also useful for anyone who wants to better understand RTC accessibility.”
Dr Scott Hollier, CEO of CFA Australia, has provided contributions to the RAUR and stated that “it’s exciting to see this Note published given the critical importance of real-time communication in keeping us connected through the current COVID-19 pandemic.”
Additional information about the RAUR’s background and context can be found in the initial RAUR blog post.