review of HTML Design Principles - questionnaire

In conformance with the instructions on the questionnaire
"Any novel supporting arguments should be sent to public-html@w3.org for
discussion and then cited in the comments field. (Of course, if you already
sent your argument, just cite it.)"

Currently Accessibility, an important, and what I believe that it must be a
central, principle of HTML 5 is subsumed under the banner of "Universal
Access"

As lachlan hunt states in the wiki "Note that Accessibility is a *subset* of
Universality." [http://esw.w3.org/topic/HTML/ProposedDesignPrinciples ]

>From a reading of the document "W3C in seven points" [
http://www.w3.org/Consortium/Points/]
the activities that illustrate the W3C's commitment to "Universal Access"
are:


   - Internationalization Activity
   - Device Independence Activity
   - Voice Browser Activity
   - Web Accessibility Initiative

The HTML 5 design principles currently contain 2 principles related to the
activities cited as aspects of Universal Access:

1. Media Independence (device independence)
2. Support World Languages (internationalization)


As these other "subsets" of the W3C's commitment are are separated from the
umbrella term "Universal Access" in the design principles,
it is proposed that in order to highlight the commitment to "Accessibility"
of the HTML WG it is also included as a separate principal

The related principles could then be grouped under the banner of "Universal
Access" or perhaps the refashioned W3C term "Web for Everyone"

As an example the Accessibility Principle could read:

"Design features to be accessible, universal, and inclusive. Access by
everyone regardless of ability is an essential. Deliverables will satisfy
accessibility requirements. To ensure this we will work closely with
the WAI<http://www.w3.org/2007/03/HTML-WG-charter.html#wai>
."


note: the W3C's "7 points" doc has been superseded by the W3C goals document
[http://www.w3.org/Consortium/mission]
which gathers the above mentioned activites under the term "Web for
Everyone".

-- 

with regards

Steve Faulkner
Technical Director - TPG Europe
Director - Web Accessibility Tools Consortium

www.paciellogroup.com | www.wat-c.org
Web Accessibility Toolbar -
http://www.paciellogroup.com/resources/wat-ie-about.html