Abstract
This document outlines various accessibility-related user needs and requirements for both synchronous and asynchronous web-based collaboration tools based on various collaborative engagement scenarios. These tools typically include one or more specific collaborative features such as
content editing by multiple authors, support for comments annotations, and revision control in real-time synchronous sessions, or asynchronously. Asynchronous tools are more commonly known as revision control systems rather than collaboration tools though their functionality is otherwise very similar. The Cloud-based office application suites from Google and Microsoft are well-known examples of synchronous, real-time collaboration tools, though they also support asynchronous collaboration. Web tools built on git are well-known examples of asynchronous collaboration tools.
The accessibility user needs and requirements described in this document may be implemented in the collaboration tool itself, or in an assistive technology application such as a screen reader or screen magnifier. Widely used desktop applications such as word processors and spread sheets also commonly support collaboration features. We take a holistic approach to give foremost priority to the user's perspective, leading to the identification of features and solutions that may be implemented by different components of the software stack involved in performing a collaborative task.
Although the user needs and requirements identified in this document are non-normative, they may influence the development of future accessibility guidelines, normative technical specifications, or features of collaboration tools and assistive technologies. They are relevant to software developers who contribute to the collaborative experience.
Status of This Document
This section describes the status of this
document at the time of its publication. A list of current W3C
publications and the latest revision of this technical report can be found
in the W3C technical reports index at
https://www.w3.org/TR/.
As a Working Group Note this content is stable, and the Working Group does not plan to make further changes. Should
the need arise, however, the document could be updated. Comments received on this document will help the Working Group
to decide if updates are needed, or will be taken into account should a republication be planned.
To comment, file an issue in the W3C ctaur GitHub repository. If this is not feasible, send email to public-rqtf@w3.org (comment archive). In-progress updates to the document
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This document was published by the Accessible Platform Architectures Working Group as
a Group Note using the
Note track.
This Group Note is endorsed by
the Accessible Platform Architectures Working Group, but is not endorsed by
W3C itself nor its
Members.
This is a draft document and may be updated, replaced or obsoleted by other
documents at any time. It is inappropriate to cite this document as other
than work in progress.
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