Re: 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) - Sufficient Technique for UI Controls

ark,
>However, we still run into problems with developers on their active UI >components because they are quick to point out that the techniques state >"text or images of text". Therefore their UI controls (or icons) are exempt >from 1.4.3 because they do not have any text associated with them. 
Well in reality these active  UI elements fail SC 1.1.1 . They are non text elements that have no text equivalents. How is a non-visual user supposed to understand what they  are? So the UI elements need to comply with SC 1.1.1 first, then evaluated for SC 1.4.3 (contrast) and SC 2.4.7 (visual focus indicator). 
No problem with WCAG 2 there.
But I do not understand why "inactive controls that are not visible to anyone" figure in the text of SC 1.4.3 under exceptions. If it is not visible then how does contrast matter?
My contention is that SC 1.4.3 and SC 2.4.7  should be elevated to  Level A status. I see quite a few transgressions of these SC. There are no readily available and workable fixes  via features of the browser / assistive technology for these two SC. In fact some users who do not use AT may encounter these issues. The fixes have to be done by Web content developers.  I'll be happy  to learn if this is incorrect.   
Sailesh Panchang
Director, Accessibility Services
www.deque.com 
Tel 571-449-3576

Received on Friday, 25 March 2011 19:30:32 UTC