Per the W3C process [1], the Chairs may reopen a decision when presented with new information. In the case of the decision regarding ISSUE-30 (longdesc), the decision itself specifically cites [2] "use cases that specifically require longdesc" as an example of new information that we were seeking.
The chairs have received [3] a request to reopen this decision based on new information. While we are skeptical that some portions of this does not meet the bar (e.g., "new research"), we feel that the New Formal Use Cases Requiring Longdesc [4] do in fact merit consideration by the wider work group.
The Chairs therefore reopen ISSUE-30 as a Last Call issue.
As these use cases clearly took considerable time to prepare -- and we commend the thoroughness of this analysis -- we feel it is important that the Working Group be given adequate time to evaluate this data, and potentially either rebut it or prepare Alternate Change Proposals based on this new information. At this time we expect to issue a call for such proposals in May when we have made more progress to getting the current HTML5 specifications into Last Call.
Paul Cotton
on behalf of the HTML WG co-chairs
[1] http://www.w3.org/2005/10/Process-20051014/policies#WGChairReopen.
[2]
http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html/2010Aug/att-0112/issue-30-decision.html
[3] http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html/2011Feb/0394.html
[4]
http://www.w3.org/html/wg/wiki/ChangeProposals/InstateLongdesc#New_Formal_Use_Cases_Requiring_longdesc
Paul Cotton, Microsoft Canada
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Tel: (425) 705-9596 Fax: (425) 936-7329