RE: Stats about JavaScript availability

>> if you can do it with scripting, there should also be a way to do it without scripting
in which case, why use scripting at all?
 
sorry 
 
long day
 

-----Original Message-----
From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org]On Behalf Of Colin Lieberman
Sent: 04 November 2005 17:01
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: RE: Stats about JavaScript availability



Jon-

 

The deal with JavaScript is that while statistically, "everyone" uses it, there are major accessibility issues for the *statistically* insignificant percent of people who don't.

 

This is an issue with good design more than just accessibility- JavaScript should be used to *add* functionality, not to be primarily responsible for it. A site should always be scalable in terms of usability- you should be able to use the Lynx browser and access every part of your site. Maybe you'll have to tab through links for navigation, but the point is that those links should be there, you should rely on scripting.

 

For a good example of bad JavaScript, check out Travelocity.com. Users of screen reader can not book air travel on this site because of it's reliance on scripting for date selection.

 

A good rule of thumb: if you can do it with scripting, there should also be a way to do it without scripting.

 

Colin Lieberman

IT Manager

Disability Rights Advocates

449 15th Street, Suite 303

Oakland California  94612


  _____  


From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org] On Behalf Of Jon Dodd
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2005 5:20 AM
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: Stats about JavaScript availability

 

Hi All,

 

Does anyone know a source of reliable statistics concerning use of JavaScript (relates to several WCAG 1.0 checkpoints of course).

 

My perception is that everyone now uses it but have heard that up to about 10% of people are browsing without it for several reasons:

* banned from a corporate environment because of security issues

* using alternative devices which do not support it (not necessarily adaptive technologies)

 

Anyone got any references or info on this.

 

Many thanks

 

Jon