The phrasing of this SC is not definitive enough

Name: Andrew Arch on behalf of Vision Australia
Email: andrew.arch@visionaustralia.org
Affiliation: Vision Australia
Document: W2
Item Number: Success Criterion 1.4.1
Part of Item: 
Comment Type: technical
Summary of Issue: The phrasing of this SC is not definitive enough
Comment (Including rationale for any proposed change):
Some of the informative discussion refers to techniques that would add to confusion for visual users. The current test procedure for F73 (links not visually evident) states “Check that each link within text that is part of a sentence or paragraph (or other area where they could be mistaken as non-linked text) in the page is underlined or otherwise visually identifiable (i.e. bolded, italicized) as a link without relying on color”. However, the use of bolding and italicising is normally used for emphasis of words or sections of a document. 



Allowing the author/designer to use bold or italics to indicate linked text instead of underling leads to a recommendation that goes against conventional practice and, while meeting SC 1.4.1 technically, does not actually make links identifiable for visual users.



Proposed Change:
Rephrase the SC as “Any information that is conveyed by color differences is also simultaneously and unambiguously visually evident without the color differences.”



Rephrase the F73 test as “Check that each link within text that is part of a sentence or paragraph (or other area where they could be mistaken as non-linked text) in the page is underlined”



Clarify some of the informative discussion to ensure that conventions are followed.

Received on Friday, 29 June 2007 08:03:54 UTC