Hi Liddy, I don't think WCAG 2.0 will make content as accessible as one can.
I have three basic concerns.
1. There is no game plan for real inclusion of people with learning
disabilities. The guidelines sound right, but the success criteria lack the
substance to do much good. (Try using their techniques document and imagine
you have a naming disability and can not cross reference between success
criteria numbers and what each one means.... They follow their own
guidelines but it doesn't do it). As such they need to lose the claim (at
least in the short term) that following WCAG will give accessibility to
people with Learning Disabilities.
2. What makes sites inoperable by assistive technology has not been
adequately covered. I think AJAX sites that are unusable need to be tested
against the success criteria to see if conforming to success criteria result
in an accessible application. In my experience some issues such as
encapsulation of the functions and behaviors of each element is essential.
Issues like a correct element always having focus etc, also fundamentally
brakes this type of application. (They have touched on it with 1.3.1
Information and relationships conveyed through presentation can be
programmatically determined, ...and others but I don't think they are
requiring what is needed)
3, I am not sure if language tag issues have been understood, Level two
requirements may be hugely burdensome and I think not hugely necessary on
non English sites.
It is implied above but it does not seem that WCAG has tested that
conformance results in accessibility. I think the direction is good but,
what is needed is a full range of testing in new and upcoming web scenarios
as well as for a full range access related issues.
All the best
Lisa
----- Original Message -----
From: "Liddy Nevile" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 6:39 AM
Subject: new work from W3C
> W3C have their new version of the Web Content Guidelines (Version 2.0)
> out for public comment - so it might be a good time to take a look. See
> http://www.w3.org/2006/03/dial-pressrelease The closing date for comments
> is May 31 - see http://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG20/comments/
>
> There has been some concern about the provision for people with cognitive
> disabilities. Perhaps if you are an expert in this field, you could
> comment?
>
> W3C also has a new language being developed which should be of particular
> interest to people who care about the adaptability of resources - see
> http://www.w3.org/2006/03/dial-pressrelease
>
> Liddy
>
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