Web Experience Toolkit (WET)

History

WET Fact Sheet

Overview

Web Experience Toolkit (WET) includes ready-made tools and solutions for building and maintaining innovative Web sites that are accessible, usable, and interoperable. These tools and solutions are open source software and free for use by departments and external Web communities.

The toolkit complies with CLF 2.0 standards, and the new Standard on Web Accessibility; the toolkit will also ease compliance with other new Web Standards, including Web Usability and Web Interoperability. WET is highly recommended for use on Government of Canada Websites.

What is the Web Experience Toolkit?

The Web Experience Toolkit (WET) is a collection of tools and solutions that enable web developers to create and maintain innovative Websites that are accessible, usable, and interoperable. WET is led by TBS and collaboratively developed and maintained by Government of Canada (GC) departments and external Web communities.

WET is comprised of a core framework, themes, and modular features. Furthermore, WET conforms to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) AA and leverages both HTML5 and the Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA) to further enhance accessibility. WET is available in HTML5 and XHTML 1.0 Strict versions.

What are the benefits of using the Web Experience Toolkit?

WET complies with the CLF 2.0 standards and the new Standard on Web Accessibility; the toolkit will also ease compliance with other new Web Standards, namely Web Usability and Web Interoperability.

WET is free for use by departments and external Web communities. It will reduce departmental costs by consolidating Web tools and solutions across the Government of Canada.

In addition, WET will help departments in building and maintaining innovative Websites.

When should I implement WET?

It is recommended that WET be implemented as soon as possible as it will help departments to cost-effectively comply with the new Standard on Web Accessibility and ease compliance with the other new Web Standards.

Departments that are still using CLF Template should move to implement WET as soon as possible, as the former is no longer being supported.

Is the use of Web Experience Toolkit mandatory?

The use of the Web Experience Toolkit (WET) is NOT mandatory but highly recommended for use on GC Websites.

How often is WET updated?

A new version of WET will be released every six months to keep pace with technological change, add new features and enhance existing features.

Why are the core framework, themes, and modular features separate?

The core framework and themes are separate and modular to make it easy to change the layout and design of websites. Websites using WET will be able to easily migrate from the layout and design requirements in CLF 2.0 to the updated requirements in the new Standard on Web Usability.

Regarding additional features, departments only have to download the features they need and update them as needed. A modular WET design enables cost-effective updates to departmental Web presences, as technologies and standards change in the future.

How will it take into consideration the new Web standards (that are replacing CLF 2.0 Standards) to be released in the next year?

Future versions of the Web Experience Toolkit (WET) will provide additional modules to comply with the new Web Standards. WET will also make it much easier for departments to comply with the new standards.

Where can I find updates on WET?

Updates on WET will be provided through the GC Web Standards Website and the WET project hosted on IRCan.

Should I use the HTML5 or XHTML 1.0 Strict version of WET?

The HTML5 version is recommended because it includes accessibility enhancements for adaptive technologies and makes it easier to leverage more advanced functionality. The XHTML 1.0 Strict version should only be used as an interim measure where HTML5 cannot currently be supported.

Who needs to know about this Product?

  • Web Managers
  • Web Developers
  • Members of the Communications, IT and IM communities

Enquiries

If you wish to learn more about this product, please visit:

IRCan

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