Re: Issue ID: 2257

>> Original Comment:
>>
>> Readability is broken
>>
>> What methods and technologies could be used for determining
>> conformance? There are many diverse measures for reading level. Why
>> lower secondary education level? This seems a very arbitrary and
>> capricious measurement.
>
> Response from Working Group:
>
> The working group agrees that using the clearest and simplest language
> appropriate is highly desirable, but could not find a way to test
> whether this had been achieved. The use of reading level is a way to
> introduce testability into a success criterion that encourages clear
> writing.
> ...
>
> the success criterion permits alternatives and supplements.
> ...
>
> Because of the tighter limits that this success criterion places on content,
> we feel it is appropriate at level AAA.

While I maintain that the testability requirement weakens the
legitimacy of this and other guidelines, the working group has
provided mechanisms for not limiting the necessity of complex texts in
certain situations by allowing alternative texts and by keeping this
SC at level AAA. I am satisfied with the working groups resolution.

Jared Smith
WebAIM
http://webaim.org/

Received on Tuesday, 13 November 2007 19:02:48 UTC