CSS Psuedo-Elements Module Level 4 Review action-2059

Hi Janina,

CSS Psuedo-Elements Module Level 4 has accessibility issues that we want to
keep track of and work with the CSS WG on. Please put action-2059 on the
agenda.

Highlight pseudo elements present accessibility issues. ::spelling-error
and ::grammar-error may show visible highlighting but will the triggering
(grammar error/spelling error) be passed on to AT? The text in Section 3.6
Security and Privacy Considerations suggests not.

Because the styling of spelling and grammar errors can leak information
about the contents
of a user’s dictionary (which can include the user’s name and even includes
the contents
of his/her address book!) UAs that implement ::spelling-error
and ::grammar-error must
prevent pages from being able to read the styling of such highlighted
segments.

Since highlight pseudo elements use only visual changes they may present
issues for low vision and color blind users. I think at a minimum a note
should be added letting readers know that some forms of highlighting won't
be perceived by all users.

UA handling of ::before, ::after, ::placeholder pseudo elements are
candidates for a CSS AAM.

Section 6 Additions to the CSS Object Model (first sentence) states

Pseudo-elements should be reachable by script, stylable from script, and
available as
event targets.

I am wondering whether statements like this will affect how ARIA docs
define things that must be included in the accessibility tree? For instance
potentially being a source of an event usually triggers inclusion in the
accessibility tree.


                                                              
     Regards,                                                 
                                                              
    Fred Esch                                                 
 Watson, IBM, W3C                                             
  Accessibility                                               
                                                              
 IBM Watson       Watson Release Management and Quality