Request for PFWG WAI review of multimedia accessibility requirements <audio> <video>

The HTML 5 working group has been discussing and debating [1] the
accessibility of multimedia features in HTML 5, particularly the new
audio [2] and video [3] elements.

Multimedia presentations (rich media) usually involves image, sound
and motion. This can present accessibility barriers to some people
with disabilities, for instance visual impairments, audio impairments,
photosensitive epilepsy, cognitive and learning disabilities,
attention deficit disorder, and dyslexia.

To address the multiple accessibility issues of multimedia, mapping
and controlling media assets with some kind of machine-recognizable
mechanism could allow users to choose the format that best suits their
needs. People have different ways of processing information and
allowing multimedia users to shift at will among audio, video,
graphic, and written media may help make these technologies more
accessible.

Your expert review and advice regarding the functional requirements
and accessibility impact of the new audio [2] and video [3] elements,
as well as your ideas regarding potential solutions would be
indispensable.

The associated Multimedia Accessibility <audio> <video> Wiki page is at:
http://esw.w3.org/topic/HTML/MultimediaAccessibilty

Thank you.

Best Regards,

HTML Working Group members:

Laura Carlson, <laura.carlson@gmail.com>
Steve Faulkner, <faulkner.steve@gmail.com>
Joshue O'Connor, <joshue.oconnor@cfit.ie>
Gregory J. Rosmaita, <oedipus@hicom.net>
Robert J Burns, <rob@robburns.com>
Leif Halvard Silli, <lhs@malform.no>
Debi Orton, <oradnio@gmail.com>
Philip TAYLOR, <P.Taylor@Rhul.Ac.Uk>

[1] http://esw.w3.org/topic/HTML/MultimediaAccessibilty#head-4478e9bc06ba2f49a7c35734c8ca2ed12679a003
[2] http://www.w3.org/TR/html5/video.html#audio
[3] http://www.w3.org/TR/html5/video.html#video

-- 
Laura L. Carlson

Received on Tuesday, 23 September 2008 08:06:10 UTC