WCAG 2.0 Comment Submission

Name: Roger Hudson
Email: rhudson@usability.com.au
Affiliation: 
Document: W2
Item Number: Ensure that content is accessible or provide an accessible alternative
Part of Item: 
Comment Type: GE
Comment (Including rationale for any proposed change):
Guideline 4.2 relates to the need to ensure content is accessible or provide an accessible alternative. I am concerned that overall, WCAG 2.0 does not sufficiently recognise the needs of people with cognitive disabilities or limitations and this guideline in particular does not appear to specifically address these needs. 



In my country (and I imagine in most others) people with cognitive disabilities and learning disorders represent the largest proportion of the population with disabilities. In its current state, WCAG 2.0 could leave a site developer, who is keen to improve the accessibility of a site for people with cognitive disabilities, with the incorrect impression that all they need to do is ensure the content is at an appropriate reading level.



WCAG 2.0 should not avoid addressing the needs of people with cognitive disabilities with the vague excuse that it is not immediately possible because today\'s technologies and user agents do not adequately support content negotiation. 



Proposed Change:
I strongly urge the Working Group to provide more comprehensive guidance in how to improve the accessibility of web sites for people with cognitive disabilities and learning disorders in WCAG 2.0.



I suggest Guideline 4.2 (and the associated documents) should specify different ways of improving the accessibility of content for people with cognitive disabilities and learning disorders. Also, the Guideline should clearly indicate appropriate ways of providing accessible alternative content.

Received on Saturday, 20 May 2006 06:41:30 UTC