RE: HTML 5.1 User Agent Implementation Guide (formerly the HTML 5 to platform Accessibility APIs Mapping guide) Going Forward

>3. Start with the following editors (as a minimum) as we who have signed on as editors:
...
>- HTML5.1: Steve Faulkner, Jason Kiss, and Alexander Surkov

The HTML WG and PF WG Chairs have discussed the work outlined in Richard's email with the current Editors of the HTML WG "HTML 5 to platform Accessibility APIs Mapping guide" [1] and have decided to appoint Jason Kiss and Steve Faulkner as Editors of the proposed new "HTML 5.1 User Agent Implementation Guide".

In doing so we wish to thank Cynthia and Alexander for their work as Editors on the "HTML 5 to platform Accessibility APIs Mapping guide" [1] and look forward to their participation and contributions to the new specification.

Jason and Steve should now work with Robin Berjon to decide on a Github location for the proposed new "HTML 5.1 User Agent Implementation Guide" and should work with the A11Y TF and/or PF WG to progress the work as outlined in the plan given below.

/paulc
HTML WG co-chair

[1] http://www.w3.org/TR/html-aapi/

Paul Cotton, Microsoft Canada
17 Eleanor Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2E 6A3
Tel: (425) 705-9596 Fax: (425) 936-7329

From: Richard Schwerdtfeger [mailto:schwer@us.ibm.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2014 1:47 PM
To: public-html@w3.org WG; HTML Accessibility Task Force
Cc: W3C WAI Protocols & Formats; janina@rednote.net; jbrewer@w3.org
Subject: HTML 5.1 User Agent Implementation Guide (formerly the HTML 5 to platform Accessibility APIs Mapping guide) Going Forward


Moving toward HTML 5.1 we will produce a minimum of 3 user agent implementation guides. For those new to this these are the accessibility API mapping guides that browsers must follow in order to support a host language or cross-cutting markup like WAI-ARIA. The ARIA 1.0 User Agent Implementation Guide, now a W3C Recommendation (http://www.w3.org/TR/wai-aria-implementation/), is the first industry document to achieve do this.
Producing documents like this is essential as it allows us to normatively ensure that what we put in content will work with assistive technologies
across multiple operating system platforms.

Going forward we must produce a normative implementation specification for both HTML 5.1 and SVG2. Furthermore, we have a convergence of HTML markup in SVG 2 so the timing is excellent. Here are some examples:

  - canvas support
  - WAI-ARIA support
  - Definition of elements in terms of WAI-ARIA host language semantics
  - tabindex support
  - iFrame support
  - Use of the same DOM3 event handlers
  - Use of document object methods used for things like activeElement needed to support keyboard support by JavaScript developers.

I have met with editor stake holders and we have produced a draft outline for 3 specifications which the editor stake holders have agreed to - as a solid starting point.

The following is our plan:

1. Start with the follow outline for the documents
http://www.w3.org/WAI/PF/wiki/Outline_Core_User_Agent_Implementation_Guide

It would mean that the ARIA 1.1 user Agent implementation would form a core implementation guide as the subsequent host languages will have elements
defined in terms of ARIA semantics. This allows HTML 5.1 and SVG2 to leverage the mappings that are in the Core, such as role, state, and property mapping tables as well as event notification. Host languages will be able to also define name and description computation rules specific to
the host language.

2. Make Protocols and Formats or (the new name Accessibility Platform Architectures) will be responsible for coordinating the activities and ensure input from both the HTML accessibility task force and the SVG working group.

3. Start with the following editors (as a minimum) as we who have signed on as editors:

- Core User Agent Implementation Guide (based on current ARIA 1.0 Implementation Guide but for ARIA 1.1): Joseph Scheuhammer
- HTML5.1: Steve Faulkner, Jason Kiss, and Alexander Surkov
- SVG2: Rich Schwerdtfeger

Shane McCarron will likely appear on some of these documents as an editor.

The HTML5.1 document will be a joint deliverable between PF and HTML. The SVG2 document will be a joint deliverable between PF and SVG. The Core document will be produced by PF.

4. We do have additional ARIA modules that will need to be created for both eBook structural semantics and Graphics (applicable to Canvas and SVG) that will need to be factored in.

This does not mean that the HTML working group or SVG 2 working group cannot publish the documents. This is a coordination discussion that pools
the right resources.

5. We are moving to Respec to create the specifications and Github as the versioning control system

We have had our first editors coordination meeting and have scheduled bi-weekly meetings. Shane McCarron is converting the existing documents to be based on Respec and the editors are reading up Respec. and Github. The ARIA 1.1 specification will also be based on Respec. and will go to Github versioning.

Our goal should be to get these done in time for HTML 5.1 CR end at the end of 2016 as a minimum. I would like SVG2 sooner. This
pooling of resources and coordination in APA (formerly PF) is essential.

Best Regards,
Rich



Rich Schwerdtfeger