Re: Change Proposal text for HTML WG ISSUE-122 (HTML5 section 4.8.1.1.7)

As determined at the Task Force teleconference on 2 December, we will
forward the below referenced change proposal to the HTML WG as our
recommendation this weekend unless a serious, substantive objection is
raised on list meantime.


If you have such an objection, please reply on list to this email.

Today's minutes,where thic source of action is decided, can be found at:
http://www.w3.org/2010/12/02-html-a11y-minutes.html

Janina Sajka, Co-Facilitator
HTML-A11Y Task Force

Gregory J. Rosmaita writes:
> aloha!
> 
> as documented in:
> 
> http://www.w3.org/html/wg/wiki/ChangeProposals/purely_decorative_images
> 
> in fulfillment of HTML WG Action 195, assigned to me at TPAC 2010:
> 
> http://www.w3.org/html/wg/tracker/actions/195
> 
> which seeks to close HTML WG Issue 122:
> 
> http://www.w3.org/html/wg/tracker/issues/122
> 
> here is the change proposal providing replacement text for section 
> 4.8.1.1.7 of HTML5
> 
> --- BEGIN CHANGE PROPOSAL ---
> 
> Text Describing Purely Decorative Images in HTML5
> 
> 
> Summary
> 
> This change proposal addresses ISSUE-122 Lady of Shallott as example of 
> purely decorative image.
> 
> This change proposal was composed in fulfillment of HTML WG ACTION-195: 
> propose replacement example for lady of shallot example of purely 
> decorative use of image with code example of one of the use cases 
> provided in prose introducing the example
> 
> Rationale
> 
> Advice about providing alt text for "purely decorative images, and the 
> definition thereof, should be contained in the HTML5: Techniques for 
> providing useful text alternatives and the Web Content Accessibility 
> Guidelines, version 2.0 (WCAG 2.0).
> 
> Details
> 
> Currently, HTML5 section 4.8.1.1.7 states:
> 
>     4.8.1.1.7 A purely decorative image that doesn't add any information
> 
>     ISSUE-31 (alt-conformance-requirements) blocks progress to Last Call
> 
>     In general, if an image is decorative but isn't especially 
>     page-specific, for example an image that forms part of a site-wide 
>     design scheme, the image should be specified in the site's CSS, not 
>     in the markup of the document.
> 
>     However, a decorative image that isn't discussed by the surrounding 
>     text but still has some relevance can be included in a page using 
>     the img element. Such images are decorative, but still form part of 
>     the content. In these cases, the alt attribute must be present but 
>     its value must be the empty string.
> 
>     Examples where the image is purely decorative despite being relevant 
>     would include things like a photo of the Black Rock City landscape 
>     in a blog post about an event at Burning Man, or an image of a 
>     painting inspired by a poem, on a page reciting that poem. The 
>     following snippet shows an example of the latter case (only the first 
>     verse is included in this snippet):
> 
>     <h1>The Lady of Shalott</h1>
>     <p><img src="shalott.jpeg" alt=""></p>
>     <p>On either side the river lie<br>
>     Long fields of barley and of rye,<br>
>     That clothe the wold and meet the sky;<br>
>     And through the field the road run by<br>
>     To many-tower'd Camelot;<br>
>     And up and down the people go,<br>
>     Gazing where the lilies blow<br>
>     Round an island there below,<br>
>     The island of Shalott.</p>
> 
> 
> Replace With
> 
> 4.8.1.1.7 A purely decorative image that doesn't add any information
> 
> If an image is decorative but isn't especially page-specific -- for 
> example, an image that forms part of a site-wide design scheme -- the 
> image should be specified in the site's or document's CSS, not in the 
> markup of the document.
> 
> Exceptions to this rule, in cases where CSS cannot be used to display 
> an entirely decorative image, are covered by the HTML5: Techniques for 
> providing useful text alternatives. [HTML ALT TECHS] Authors are also 
> encouraged to consult the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 for 
> more detailed information and acceptable techniques. [WCAG 2.0]
> 
> 
> Impact
> 
> Positive Effects
> 
>     * Provides a single reference for "A purely decorative image that 
>       doesn't add any information" by providing the correct usage guide 
>       for "purely decorative images": define them using CSS;
> 
>     * Keeps such information in a single reference for developers and 
>       authors; 
> 
> Negative Effects
> 
>     * none, since advice and guidance on providing appropriate alt text 
>       is already contained in HTML5: Techniques for providing useful 
>       text alternatives [HTML ALT TECHS]; 
> 
> 
> Conformance Classes Changes
> 
> none
> 
> 
> Risks
> 
> none
> 
> 
> References
> 
>     * HTML5: Techniques for providing useful text alternatives
>       http://dev.w3.org/html5/alt-techniques/
> 
>     * Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, version 2.0 (WCAG 2.0) 
>       http://www.w3.org/TR/wcag20
> 
> --- END CHANGE PROPOSAL ---
> 
> OPEN QUESTIONS:
> 
> 1. should the first paragraph of the replacement text contain a warning 
> that it is not possible to annotate background images when using CSS?
> 
> 2. [your question(s) here]
> 
> gregory.
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of
> focus.                                           -- Mark Twain
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> Gregory J. Rosmaita: oedipus@hicom.net
>    Camera Obscura: http://www.hicom.net/~oedipus/
>           Oedipus' Online Complex: http://my.opera.com/oedipus
> --------------------------------------------------------------

-- 

Janina Sajka,	Phone:	+1.443.300.2200
		sip:janina@asterisk.rednote.net

Chair, Open Accessibility	janina@a11y.org	
Linux Foundation		http://a11y.org

Chair, Protocols & Formats
Web Accessibility Initiative	http://www.w3.org/wai/pf
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Received on Thursday, 2 December 2010 23:10:37 UTC