Organization of the W3C; Illustrated

The W3C develops many of the Web standards.  W3C is divided into four "domains."  These domains include Architecture, Interface, Society and Technology and Accessibility.  Standards are developed under each of the domains.

The Architecture domain focuses on the underlying technologies of the Web.  Standards that are developed within the Architecture domain include the DOM, XML, and XSD.

The Interface domain seeks to improve user interaction with the Web. This includes work on formats and languages that will present information to users with more accuracy and a higher level of control.  Standards that are developed within the Interface domain include CSS, XSL, and HTML (because this was originally a user interface language that included style parameters).

The third domain of the W3C is Society and Technology.  Members of this domain concentrate on societal issues that arise from the use of Web technology.  Standards within this domain include RDA and standards that help protect privacy and provide security.

The final domain of the W3C is the Accessibility domain.  This domain focuses on promoting a high degree of usability for people with disabilities. The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), is pursuing accessibility of the Web through five primary areas of work: technology, guidelines, tools, education and outreach, and research and development.  Accessibility has broadened to include "any where, any time" Web technology that has become critical to mobile computing.

Because the XML Activity crosses domains, W3C has established an XML coordination group.  The membership of this group is the chairs of the individual Working Groups. Its role is to provide a forum for coordination between the Working Groups of the XML Activity, and between the XML Activity and other parts of W3C, and between the XML Activity and other organizations.