International Journal of Public Information Systems
Vol. 2008:2, pp. 131-154

Web 2.0 - End of Accessibility? Analysis of Most Common Problems with Web 2.0 Based Applications Regarding Web Accessibility

Author: Walter Kern

Keywords: Web 2.0, accessibility, eGovernment, electronic government, collective intelligence, problems, symbiosis, AJAX, eInclusion, W3C, applications, Web sites, BITV, WCAG 1.0, WCAG 2.0, Section 508.

Abstract
On the one side accessible Web sites are becoming increasingly important in general and are a statutory provision in the context of eGovernment. On the other side the trend of creating Web 2.0 based applications is growing exponentially due to the richness of graphical user interfaces, effects, high interactivity and collective intelligence potentials that Web 2.0 based applications can provide. This article describes the primary purpose of Web 2.0, accessibility and the symbiotic application. It highlights major problems and feasible approaches to a solution and introduces common guidelines and laws in the context of accessibility and Web 2.0.

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