Fwd: Change to Easy Checks draft about images

EOWG,

The comment forwarded below came in on the eo-editors list.

Comment summary: In the section on images <http://www.w3.org/WAI/eval/preliminary#images>, there should be a mention that images of math equations should be encoded in MathML and not as a static image.

For EOWG consideration:
* Is this beyond the criteria for inclusion in Easy Checks, or should it be included? (See criteria at <http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/wiki/Eval_Analysis#Criteria_for_checks>)
* If included: How? A note under Tips? Other?

Please add your thoughts to the wiki page at: <http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/wiki/Easy_Checks_Comments#Neil_Soiffer_8_July>

Thanks,
~Shawn


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Change to Easy Checks draft about images
Resent-Date: 	Tue, 09 Jul 2013 00:53:43 +0000
Resent-From: 	wai-eo-editors@w3.org
Date: 	Mon, 8 Jul 2013 17:53:16 -0700
From: 	Neil Soiffer <NeilS@dessci.com>
To: 	wai-eo-editors@w3.org



In the section on images [1], there should be a mention that images of math equations should be encoded in MathML and not as a static image.  Any static alt text for math will likely be poor for people who are blind or poor for people with learning disabilities.  The former group needs to know where 2-d math notations begin and end and for the later group, hearing "begin xxx"/"end exx" adds to the complexity of decoding a math expression.  Furthermore, math has its own braille code that can not be generated from a textual description.  With MathML, textual descriptions can be generated on the fly as can various braille math codes.

If you talk with anyone at a disabilities service office, they will tell you that math accessibility is one of the biggest problems they face. This page should be pushing people to do the right thing, not ignoring the problem and thereby perpetuating it.

Some WCAG pages related to using MathML are [2] and [3].

Sincerely,

Neil Soiffer
Senior Scientist
Design Science, Inc.
www.dessci.com <http://www.dessci.com>
~ Makers of MathType, MathFlow, MathPlayer, MathDaisy, Equation Editor ~



[1]Â http://www.w3.org/WAI/eval/preliminary#images
[2]Â http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WCAG20/tests/test135.html
[3]Â http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/G115.html

Received on Tuesday, 9 July 2013 12:26:17 UTC