Colleagues: This is a Call for Consensus (CfC) to confirm the sufficiency and accuracy of guidance on the alternative text attribute for images as provided by the following two related HTML-WG documents. It is also a Call for Consensus regarding proposed next steps for each of these documents. You will recall the relationship between these documents is that the first was initially created to elaborate criticisms against the sufficiency of alt guidance in the second. In other words, initially guidance in these two documents was different, and the two did not agree one with the other. We believe that over the past few years these differences have been successfully resolved. This CfC tests this assertion. For the record we are requesting the HTML-A11Y Task Force confirm this understanding, or point out specific remaining insufficiencies. 1.) HTML5: Techniques for providing useful text alternatives http://rawgit.com/w3c/alt-techniques/master/index.html This document was initially created to help remedy insufficiencies in early drafts of the HTML 5.0 specification. Over the past few years, guidance originally present in this document has been migrated to the HTML specification itself and removed from this document. However, it is believed that the remaining content in this document still provides valuable guidance to HTML authors. Recent edits to this document can be seen in the W3C Bugzilla bugs shown at the following URI: http://tinyurl.com/kjvj3bb A permanent, though very long URI for these bugs is: https://www.w3.org/Bugs/Public/buglist.cgi?bug_status=UNCONFIRMED&bug_status=NEW&bug_status=ASSIGNED&bug_status=REOPENED&bug_status=RESOLVED&bug_status=VERIFIED&bug_status=CLOSED&component=CR%20alt%20techniques%20%28editor%3A%20Steven%20Faulkner%29&list_id=37965&product=HTML%20WG&query_format=advanced QUESTION 1: Does the Task Force a.) Accept these identified changes to this document b.) Recommend that work on this document be terminated; and c.) Support publication of this document by the HTML-WG as a W3C Note. 2.) HTML 5.0 Sec. 4.7.1.1 Requirements for providing text to act as an alternative for images http://www.w3.org/html/wg/drafts/html/master/embedded-content.html#alt As noted above there have been significant edits to this section of the HTML 5.0 specification in order that this specification might best reflect current consensus guidance regarding alt. These changes are documented by the following W3C Bugzilla bugs: {Insert Bug List Here} QUESTION 2: Does the Task Force: a.) Accept these identified changes to this specification; b.) Recommend that work on this specification be terminated; and c.) Support publication of this section of this specification by the HTML-WG as part of W3C HTML 5.0. ACTION TO TAKE According to agreed HTML-A11Y Task Force Consensus Procedures [1], this CfC is now open for objection, comment, as well as statements of support via email. Silence will be interpreted as support, though messages of support are certainly welcome. If you have objections to any part of the above two questions, or any comments concerning the proposed next steps for either of the above documents, please respond by replying on list to this message no later than midnight Boston Time, Wednesday 4 June. Janina on behalf of the Task Force Facilitators [1] http://www.w3.org/WAI/PF/HTML/consensus-procedures -- Janina Sajka, Phone: +1.443.300.2200 sip:janina@asterisk.rednote.net Email: janina@rednote.net Linux Foundation Fellow Executive Chair, Accessibility Workgroup: http://a11y.org The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Chair, Protocols & Formats http://www.w3.org/wai/pf Indie UI http://www.w3.org/WAI/IndieUI/