Re: REF: 4.1 Move deprecated features

Re: WCAG 2.0 Checkpoint 4.1

Excluding deprecated features is a major stumbling block for compliance 
with the accessibility issue. It means that only strict HTML will pass the 
test and that therefore any attempt to make web pages viable for older 
browsers is extremely limited. This aspect of the checkpoint alone forces 
Web Developers to choose between making Web Sites accessible to people with 
disabilities OR people with older Browsers.

As an example, in recent Web Conferences I've attended it has become 
apparent that a number of large companies standardized on Netscape 4 and 
are still using it. The need for support for this obsolete Browser is a 
major concern for these companies. They've developed archival material that 
will quickly become obsolete under the strict HTML Standard.

It seems to me that accessibility should be about making the web 
Universally accessible. Specifying that Web Pages pass validation tests for 
existing standards should be enough. In my opinion forcing Web Developers 
to comply with the Strict HTML Standard will make WCAG 2.0 obsolete before 
it is even published. It would certainly have that affect for me.

Sorry for not responding earlier but I am a new comer to working with 
accessibility issues.

Don McCunn

Received on Wednesday, 7 January 2004 16:44:19 UTC