- From: Kynn Bartlett <kynn-edapta@idyllmtn.com>
- Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001 14:27:29 -0800
- To: Reidy Brown <rbrown@blackboard.com>
- Cc: Graham Oliver <graham_oliver@yahoo.com>, w3c-wai-ig@w3.org, "Doug Wakefield (E-mail)" <wakefield@access-board.gov>
At 02:07 PM 2/12/2001 , Reidy Brown wrote: >I talked to Doug Wakefield at the Access Board about this issue a couple of >weeks ago. Here's my (possibly faulty) translation of his intent in writing >this paragraph: >------------- >The assumption is that the user will have a reasonably current >browser/assistive technology combination, such as IE 5 and Jaws for Windows >3.7, specifically, one that supports javascript. [This is the biggest >philosophical difference between 508 and WAI.] Yeah, that's a pretty big assumption (and honestly, a very bizarre requirement). Isn't this the federal government that just sued Microsoft for being a monopoly, and now they're demanding the use of IE? >In this case, you're assuming that behind-the-scenes Javascript (such as >validation) will work properly. If so, you need only to make sure that >"visual" content is available to all users. For example, a form that >validates for an email address could pop up an alert box saying "Please >enter an email address." Jaws 3.7 can read alert boxes, so this is >acceptable. >------------- Wow. If this really -is- the case then it's obvious that someone at the access board has their head in an inaccessible location. >One piece that is oddly missing here is a requirement that all >content/functionality be keyboard accessible. (For instance, no onClick >events used without a non-js fall-through.) The closest idea is in (n), but >it only includes coding for forms: >(n) When electronic forms are designed to be completed on-line, the form >shall allow people using assistive technology to access the information, >field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of >the form, including all directions and cues. Actually there's a lot of holes in Section 508 requirements, and while this is an important one, it's far from the only one that's missing. :) Thanks for the information, Reidy! --Kynn Kynn Bartlett <kynn@reef.com> Technical Developer Liaison Customer Management/Team Edapta Reef North America Tel +1 909-674-5225 ___________________________________ BUSINESS IS DYNAMIC. TAKE CONTROL. ___________________________________ http://www.reef.com
Received on Monday, 12 February 2001 17:26:06 UTC