Proposals for revision of the Plain Language SC proposals for WCAG 2.1

A group of us at The Paciello Group (TPG) have been meeting every week 
in January to comment on the WCAG 2.1 proposals.  Because we test WCAG 
2.0 all day, every (business) day, we have a lot of experience with both 
the language of WCAG and the testing of WCAG.  What we decided this week 
is that we want to focus our efforts toward helping COGA TF draft 
success criteria that will get into WCAG 2.1 and will accomplish most of 
what you want -- even if it is phrased differently.

We started with the proposals that we thought would be the least 
controversial to the WCAG WG to include.  I looked at the Plain Language 
proposals and did my best to look at the needs identified by COGA TF, 
and craft language that I thought would be acceptable to the WCAG WG and 
be included in the first draft version of WCAG 2.1.

The wording is quite different, but in my opinion, addresses the needs 
identified.  I chose reading level, because it is internationally 
standardized, and there are automated tests already available.  When I 
look at Technique  G153: Making the text easier to read  
https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/G153.html , it covers most of the 
items that the COGA TF identified.

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*Issue 30 Proposal: *

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Understandable Labels: Navigation elements and form labels do not 
require reading ability greater than primary education level.  (A) 
  [link to WCAG’s definition of primary education level from UNESCO 
standard]


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*Issue 41: *

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Understandable Instructions:  Headings, error messages and instructions 
for completing tasks do not require reading ability greater than lower 
secondary education level.  (AA)  [link to WCAG’s definition of lower 
secondary level from UNESCO standard]


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*Delta 3.1.5 (rewrite of existing WCAG 3.1.5) *

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Understandable Content: Blocks of text either:  (AAA)

·have a reading level no more advanced than lower secondary education, or

·a version is provided that does not require reading ability more 
advanced than lower secondary education.[links to WCAG’s definitions of 
lower secondary education and blocks of text]

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