Re: Checkpoint 3.4 again

Joe,

	No matter the arguments presented, text is an element on a page, no more, 
and no less. It needs an equivalent. Does the equivalent need to be a 
graphic? No, but a graphic is probably the easiest to do, other than a 
sound file of someone reading the text.  Animations and multimedia can also 
be equivalents to text ....  Wendy has suggested that links could be 
illustrations, so a link could be the equivalent of a block of text if the 
link leads to something that illustrates the text ...

	If a graphic is an illustration for a passage of text illustrate the main 
concepts, or minor ones with unique importance, there is no need for an alt 
tag .... there would still be a need for a long description on many/most 
illustrations.

	The "textists" as you dub them, have made a wonderful contribution to 
accessibility, but the web is capable of so much more that can contribute 
to accessibility when you get away from the concept that Text is More Equal 
...  And if the "textists" concepts are what has made accessibility worth 
pursuing for web designers, how come there are so few alt tags and long 
descriptions out there on the web?

	Seriously, Joe, we can't draw an arbitrary line in the sand deciding which 
disabled people are actually accommodated by the guidelines. That will make 
us a laughing stock ... Our guidelines already specify that we are 
considering the needs of the learning disabled and cognitively disabled. We 
can't promise accommodations and accessibility, then not deliver because 
they happen not to dig text like you do ...

	Joe, do you think there is a better way to accommodate the learning and 
cognitively disabled? I'm open to suggestions, especially since Wendy 
always recommends patience and compromise to me when I get to soapboxing. 
<grin>

							Anne

Received on Saturday, 28 July 2001 17:41:33 UTC