Re: 48-Hour Consensus Call: ARIA-DescribedAT & Longdesc

On 4 April 2012 03:57, Janina Sajka <janina@rednote.net> wrote:
> Charles McCathieNevile writes:

>> >I think that's probably because WAI have been giving out misleading
>> >UA/AT support information for longdesc in WCAG H45:
>>
>> I doubt it. It isn't news that longdesc support is patchy.

The HTML-A11Y-TF appears to have suggested to the HTMLWG that longdesc
"DOES provide effective and consistent support for users regardless of
browser and AT":

http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html/2011Jun/0204.html

So it's certainly news to some. The HTML-A11Y-TF should send a
clarification to the HTMLWG explaining how poor support for longdesc
actually is.

>> And I am
>> talking about the people who spend real money to understand better
>> than we do what *really*happens* in the world.

Bear in mind some people in this TF also understand what really
happens in the world:

http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html-a11y/2012Mar/0063.html

> Like, for example, the Association of American Publishers who explicitly
> pleaded with the HTML-WG to reinstate longdesc because they depend on it
> greatly. Note they're speaking from production experience. Note also
> they're talking about rich text, not simple ASCII paragraphs.
>
> http://www.w3.org/Bugs/Public/show_bug.cgi?id=13461

I don't think that's entirely accurate. AAP's commentary "is more
concerned that there be a solution with a good user
experience/developer experience and much less concerned with what the
exact code is." A normal link on the image, optionally enhanced with
rel=longdesc where required, is a far better solution to AAP's
requirements at the current time and for the foreseeable future.

Note AAP also appears to be operating under the mistaken impression
longdesc "works with assistive technology today" and "works well for
users today". It seems like a lot of people have been woefully misled
by the incorrect UA/AT support information in H45.

-Matt

Received on Wednesday, 4 April 2012 19:10:53 UTC