WCAG 2.0 Comment Submission

Name: Roger Hudson
Email: rhudson@usability.com.au
Affiliation: 
Document: W2
Item Number: Make text content readable and understandable.
Part of Item: 
Comment Type: TE
Comment (Including rationale for any proposed change):
Guideline 3.1 is concerned with the need to make text readable and understandable. In general WCAG 2.0 contains very few provisions for improving the accessibility of web content for people with cognitive disabilities or learning difficulties. There is the level 3 SC 3.1.5, which is concerned with the reading level of text, however it is a fallacy to assume all cognitive disabilities somehow relate to a persons ability to read.



WCAG 1.0 contained the Priority 1 Checkpoint 14.1 (Use the Clearest and simplest language appropriate for a site’s content). It also contained the Priority 2 Checkpoint 12.3 (Divide large blocks of information into more manageable groups where natural and appropriate). Combined these two checkpoints communicated the desirability of preparing content that could be accessed by people with a range of cognitive and intellectual abilities and suggestions for how this could be achieved. Unfortunately, WCAG 2.0 does not appear to contain a similar commitment or guidance to these issues.



Proposed Change:
Guideline 3.1 should contain two new Level 2 success criteria, which read:

1. \"When web units contain text, the clearest and simplest language appropriate for the users of the content is used and large blocks of information are presented using appropriate headings and subheading.\"

2. \"When forms are presented, the controls in similar areas of a form should be grouped together and appropriately identified.\"

Received on Sunday, 14 May 2006 00:35:16 UTC