Re: Overlap of WCAG 2.2 and plain language

Hello Ashley,

Thank you for sharing your information.

Please note that WCAG 2.2 is closed for changes now. We have other open projects where your information can be beneficial, and I encourage you to send it to those lists:
* Cognitive and Learning Disabilities Accessibility Task Force <public-cognitive-a11y-tf@w3.org>
* WCAG 3 <public-silver@w3.org>

Best,
~Shawn
<www.w3.org/People/Shawn>



On 18-Jul-23 8:32 AM, Ashley E. Miller wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> After spending the last year looking at the potential overlap of plain language and digital accessibility, I do believe I found some information that may be of interest to the WCAG 2.2 editors.
> 
> I have attached my master's thesis as it serves as the backbone of what information is to follow, but after looking at the principles, guidelines and success criteria of the WCAG 2.2 in comparison to the draft version of PL ISO 24495-1:2022, I found some information relevant to the forward movement of accessibility.
> 
> Pages 54-58 of my thesis shed light on the potential area of change:
> 
> Readability is different from comprehensibility and also at the root of a detrimental difference in mindset found between the WCAG 2.2 and the PL ISO whose standards are both trying to fulfill the goal of “understandable” content.
> 
> 
> Currently the WCAG 2.2 appears to be relying more so on readability than comprehensibility in its quest for fair and equitable digital information, leaving users without the right tools for true access.
> 
> 
> Relying mainly on reading level is in opposition to the current practices in place that factor in comprehensibility (or the true “access”) in regards to digital accessibility, thus defying the idea that the information, if readable, is usable. Suffice it to say, it is still progress to focus on readability in regards to digital content, but by focusing on readability alone, it fails to fully aid in the UNCRPD’s “environmental barriers” being dissolved –less so on a societal level like in the case of the mental model, but in this case, on a conceptual, intangible level.
> 
> 
> The use of plain language is one way to help dissolve the barrier that comprehensibility can create, but its use must be a choice, and one that currently involves extra time and training.
> 
> 
> I am honored to have shared a bit of my findings with you, and commend you on all the effort you are putting into making this world more accessible. Should you have further questions or comments, I would be honored to answer.
> 
> Kind regards,
> Ashley Miller
> 
>

Received on Tuesday, 18 July 2023 19:54:29 UTC