Re: feedback requested on WAI CG Consensus Resolutions on Text alternatives in HTML 5 document

On 17/08/2009 10:56, Maciej Stachowiak wrote:
> On Aug 17, 2009, at 2:40 AM, Benjamin Hawkes-Lewis wrote:
>
>> On 17/08/2009 10:05, Maciej Stachowiak wrote:
>>>> In situations like:
>>>>
>>>> <a href="#"><img src="delete.png" alt=""></a>
>>>>
>>>> It's useful to AT for the "img" to be exposed and to be able to access
>>>> "src" attributes for the purpose of providing a substitute for proper
>>>> alternative text.
>>>
>>> If that's so, then wouldn't it be better for authors to use alt=""
>>> instead of role="presentation", so that AT can decide whether it needs
>>> to expose the image anyway?
>>
>> I don't think role="presentation" is appropriate in that case. It's
>> not a presentational image.
>
> I don't think alt="" is appropriate either, for the same reason.

Agreed.

> But you are right that such usage is common nonetheless.

> The specific proposal on the table was as follows:
>
> - Every time the validator sees alt="" without role="presentation", it
> should issue a warning advising the author to add role="presentation".
>
> I believe this would lead to the kind of misuse that you are concerned
> about.

Indeed.

> Do you think this kind of warning is a good idea?

That warning, not really.

But I think if the checker is offering "warnings" (I'd prefer "tips"), a 
message providing advice for different situations that includes coverage 
of "role='presentation'" would be a good idea.

--
Benjamin Hawkes-Lewis

Received on Monday, 17 August 2009 15:05:24 UTC