Re: some accessibility/usability problems with bugzilla

Hi Gregory,

> a while ago, the HTML Accessibility Task Force list was asked, "what
> are some of the accessibility problems with bugzilla"

That was touched on last March in the "HTML comment list, Bugzilla,
and the accessibility task force" thread [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].

> -- here are a few to start:

Thanks for the list. I am sure the HTML Chairs will be interested in
your experience using Bugzilla, as it is a major component in the HTML
Decision Process, which states "Issues should be filed as bugs in W3C
Bugzilla to be formally considered." [6]

> 1. no headers on pages to organize / give structure to content;
>
> 2. use of TABLE to control layout;
>
> 3. bug submission interface particularly bad:
>
> 3.1. comboboxes set to fire onChange events which lack explicit
> submission mechanisms;
>
> 3.2. when selecting a component the dynamically updated "Component
> Description" lacks an ARIA live-region, so the description is not
> communicated to, for example, a screen reader user.
>
> 3.3. the FORM is embedded in a TABLE -- this means that i as a speech
> user need to use TABLE-mode to navigate the table, tnen drop into
> (mutually exclusive) forms-mode to interact with the forms;
>
> 4. overall, the bugzilla interface could use an overhaul or at least
> the addition of some serious ARIA markup;
>
> those are MERELY the "brightest of the lowlights" of bugzilla -- i'm
> sure there are others who will chime in on bugzilla's weaknesses,

Paul, Sam, and Maciej, would it be possible for Bugzilla to be
improved before the HTML WG asks for Last Call comments? I know Paul
said that he would watch the comment list and assist people if they
have trouble, which is helpful. But it would be great if they could
file bugs directly without encountering major accessibility/usability
problems.

Best Regards,
Laura

[1] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html-a11y/2010Mar/0307.html
[2] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html-a11y/2010Mar/0421.html
[3] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html-a11y/2010Mar/0424.html
[4] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html-a11y/2010Mar/0428.html
[5] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html-a11y/2010Mar/0435.html
[6] http://dev.w3.org/html5/decision-policy/decision-policy.html

-- 
Laura L. Carlson

Received on Thursday, 29 July 2010 00:38:32 UTC