About WSC - Web Standards Commission
Our Mission
The Web Standards Commission (WSC) is an independent private advisory organization established in response to the growing number of accessibility lawsuits across the country.
Our mission is to help companies implement the necessary changes to ensure their websites are accessible to all users. We help organizations achieve compliance by conducting thorough accessibility audits and recommending the right tools to install for ongoing accessibility management.
Accessibility First
Promoting WCAG compliance and inclusive design
Education
Providing resources and training for compliance
Advocacy
Supporting universal web standards adoption
What We Do
Compliance Reporting
We provide a platform for reporting websites and digital services that don't meet accessibility standards, helping to identify barriers and promote remediation.
Education & Resources
We offer comprehensive guides, tutorials, and resources to help developers, designers, and organizations understand and implement web standards.
Testing & Validation
We provide guidance on accessibility testing tools, validation methods, and best practices for ensuring compliance with WCAG and other standards.
Community Support
We connect organizations, developers, and accessibility advocates to share knowledge, resources, and solutions for creating accessible digital experiences.
Organization Structure
The Web Standards Commission operates through three primary divisions, each focused on specific aspects of web standards and accessibility:
Focus: WCAG compliance, ADA compliance, Section 508, and accessibility best practices
Responsibilities:
- Developing accessibility compliance guidelines and resources
- Providing guidance on WCAG 2.2 Level AA conformance
- Educating organizations about ADA Title III requirements
- Supporting Section 508 compliance for government entities
- Promoting inclusive design principles
Key Resources: Compliance Information, Mobile Accessibility
Focus: HTML, CSS, JavaScript standards, and web performance
Responsibilities:
- Promoting W3C HTML5 and semantic markup standards
- Providing CSS best practices and modern layout techniques
- Guiding JavaScript development and API usage
- Advancing web performance optimization (Core Web Vitals)
- Supporting responsive design and mobile-first development
Key Resources: HTML Standards, CSS Guidelines, JavaScript APIs, Performance Standards
Focus: Data protection, privacy compliance, and web security
Responsibilities:
- Promoting GDPR, CCPA, and global privacy standards
- Providing security best practices and vulnerability prevention
- Guiding secure data handling and encryption
- Supporting cookie consent and privacy policy compliance
- Advancing secure authentication and authorization practices
Key Resources: Privacy Guidelines, Security Standards, GDPR Compliance, Data Protection
Our Core Values
Inclusion
We believe the web should be accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, technology, or circumstance.
Excellence
We promote the highest standards in web development, design, and digital accessibility practices.
Education
We provide clear, actionable resources that empower organizations to create accessible digital experiences.
Collaboration
We work with organizations, developers, and advocates to advance web standards and accessibility together.
How is WSC Funded
As an independent private advisory organization, the Web Standards Commission operates through a sustainable funding model that allows us to maintain our commitment to helping businesses achieve accessibility compliance. Our funding comes from four primary sources:
Corporate Sponsorships
We partner with organizations that share our commitment to digital accessibility. Corporate sponsors help fund our educational resources, research initiatives, and public awareness campaigns. Additionally, some of our accessibility solutions partners contribute to our mission through technical sponsorships and collaborative initiatives. Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies looking to demonstrate their dedication to inclusive digital experiences.
Donations
Individual and organizational donations enable us to continue providing free educational resources to the public. Contributions of any size help support our mission of making the web accessible to everyone. All donations go directly toward maintaining and expanding our compliance guidance materials.
Professional Web Audits
We offer comprehensive accessibility audits for businesses seeking to evaluate their websites against WCAG, ADA, and Section 508 standards. Our expert team provides detailed reports identifying compliance gaps along with actionable recommendations for remediation and ongoing accessibility management.
Compliance Certificates
Upon request, we provide accessibility compliance certificates for organizations that have successfully completed our audit process and implemented the necessary remediation measures. These certificates serve as documentation of an organization's commitment to digital accessibility standards.
Our Commitment: Revenue from our professional services directly supports our free educational resources and public advocacy efforts. We believe that accessibility guidance should be available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for consulting services.
Independent Advisory Organization
The Web Standards Commission (WSC) is an independent private advisory organization and is not a government agency. Our assessments, recommendations, and resources are informational and intended to support accessibility improvement and web standards compliance.
We do not provide legal advice. Organizations seeking legal guidance on ADA compliance or other accessibility regulations should consult with qualified legal counsel.
Get Involved
Join us in advancing web accessibility and digital standards