RE: will get back to you Re: headers attribute debate

Agree with Mike.  Let's be careful here.  A lot of sites use both TH and
H tags to assist AT navigation...


-----Original Message-----
From: wai-xtech-request@w3.org [mailto:wai-xtech-request@w3.org] On
Behalf Of Michael S Elledge
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 1:35 PM
To: Al Gilman
Cc: Laura Carlson; HTML WG; Judy Brewer; Patrick H. Lauke; WAI Interest
Group; Michael Cooper; wai-liaison@w3.org; wai-xtech@w3.org
Subject: Re: will get back to you Re: headers attribute debate


Are we only talking about table headers? If so, I would be concerned
that 
deprecating headers could cause problems with older screen readers that 
don't recognize the scope attribute. It would be worthwhile to check
with 
Freedom Scientific and GW Micro to see how far back scope is recognized.


If we are also talking about content headers, then this would have a 
significantly negative impact on screen reader users. Not everyone knows

about using headers for navigation and scanning, but those who do find
them 
useful. Headers also seem to be the one dependable way to navigate
across 
<shudder> frames, which are still used in some applications. 

Mike Elledge 

Al Gilman writes: 

> 
> At 6:06 PM -0500 27 05 2007, Laura Carlson wrote:
>> 
>> Advice from WAI and the PFWG on the potential accessibility impact of
>> the absence of the headers attribute for HTML 5 would be appreciated.
> 
> Thank you for this question. 
> 
> Tables have historically been a source of access problems.  We put
> some features in HTML4 and there is now enough time past to take
> a fresh look. 
> 
> I believe we can get back to you within a week or two.  If HTML WG
needs
> some other timeline, I would be happy to hear from Dan or Chris with
an
> requested due date. 
> 
> Al 
> 
> 
 


Mike Elledge
Assistant Director
Usability & Accessibility Center
Michigan State University
517-353-8977

Received on Wednesday, 30 May 2007 06:17:17 UTC