Issues raised with HTML techniques

Some issues have been raised with the HTML techniques [1]. We should decide how to resolve these issues and whether to delay publication if issues can't be resolved. This list is intended to jumpstart discussion during our call today. I have provided proposed actions for each of the issues, and I believe if we agree to adopt those proposals there will be no need to delay publication.

[1] http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WCAG20/WD-WCAG20-HTML-TECHS-20040726.html



I - Example for doctype includes meta refresh

Technique 1.1 [2] includes a meta refresh in an example about doctype, which is confusing.

Severity: Editorial
Proposal: Update the example

[2] http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WCAG20/WD-WCAG20-HTML-TECHS-20040726.html#doctype



II - Graphics used as form labels

Paul Bohman asks [3] if a <label> element around a graphic with alt text is an acceptable way of providing a label for the form.

Severity: Content
Proposal: There has been debate on this list about this. We should log a bugzilla entry and consider this in a future draft, but I don't think we can do anything meaningful in the present draft.

[3] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-gl/2004JulSep/0224.html



III - Grouping radio buttons and checkboxes

Paul Bohman notes [4] that the use of <fieldset> to group radio buttons and checkboxes is not called out in the technique on grouping [5]. Instead, fieldset is described for other related form controls, such as the parts of an address.

Severity: Content
Proposal: I think this is an oversight. We should get at least placeholder text and an example in the existing technique for now to indicate this usage, and expand on it in a future draft.

[4] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-gl/2004JulSep/0224.html
[5] http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WCAG20/WD-WCAG20-HTML-TECHS-20040726.html#fieldset



IV - User agent support for optgroup

Paul Bohman says [6] there are a lot of problems with using <optgroup> as recommended [7] in practice.

Severity: Content
Proposal: We should put an editorial note about this in the technique for now. In the future we need to do the testing and indicate the user agent issues in our standard (but rarely seen to date) way.

[6] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-gl/2004JulSep/0224.html
[7] http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WCAG20/WD-WCAG20-HTML-TECHS-20040726.html#optgroup



V - Tab order

Paul Bohman says [8] that, although we describe ways to provide an explicit tab order [9], it is often preferable to accept the default tab order for various reasons.

Severity: Content
Proposal: There has been some discussion on the list about this, but no strong opposition. Still, we need to work this out a bit. We should put an editorial note for now. We should also create a bugzilla entry and look at this more closely in a future draft.

[8] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-gl/2004JulSep/0224.html
[9] http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WCAG20/WD-WCAG20-HTML-TECHS-20040726.html#form_tabindex



VI - Correction and proposed text for auto-submit combo boxes

Technique 16.4 [10] is a placeholder for auto-submit combo boxes. Jim Thatcher [11] notes that the bugzilla reference is wrong and proposes content for the technique.

Severity: Editorial
Proposal: incorporate Jim's suggestions before publication.

[10] http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WCAG20/WD-WCAG20-HTML-TECHS-20040726.html#autosubmit
[11] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-gl/2004JulSep/0242.html



VII - Information about user agents

Ben Caldwell proposes [12] that we include an editorial note indicating that will provide user agent support information for the techniques.

Severity: Editorial
Proposal: Create the editorial note as proposed in the Introduction section.

[12] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-gl/2004JulSep/0252.html

--- Signature ---

Michael Cooper
Accessibility Product Manager, Watchfire
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Email: michaelc@watchfire.com
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Received on Thursday, 29 July 2004 10:52:46 UTC