Request for PFWG WAI review of Omitting alt Attribute for Critical Content

The HTML 5 working group is questioning and debating the need for the
alt attribute on critical content. In fact, the current HTML 5
Editor's Draft allows instances where critical content is allowed to
have no alt attribute on the img element.

Alternate text is essential for accessibility. There needs to be a
markup solution to indicate whether or not the alternate text of an
image is critical to understand the content - omitting such an
important attribute is ambiguous, and doesn't help anyone. The problem
is differentiating between ignorant and intentional lack of text.

The issue is detailed at:
http://esw.w3.org/topic/HTML/IssueAltAttribute

In order for this debate to reach a satisfactory resolution, review of
this issue and advice from the PFWG and WAI on the potential
accessibility impact of omitting alt attribute for critical content in
HTML 5 would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Best Regards,

Laura L. Carlson
Steve Faulkner
Gregory J. Rosmaita
Joshue O Connor
Philip TAYLOR
Robert Burns
--
HTML WG Members