Re: HTML-A11Y Task Force Recommendation: ISSUE-31 Missing Alt

For what it's worth, I think both the change proposal from Laura [1]
and the current spec text, is too complicated and a degradation
compared to HTML4.

The 'alt' attribute is, as far as I can think of, the most successful
bolt-on accessibility attribute in any version of HTML. In part I
think this is due to the simple message we've conveyed to authors:
"All images require an alt attribute". I don't think any of the change
proposals (including the no-change change proposal) has demonstrated
that there is any problem that needs to be solved with that
recommendation from HTML4.

If no one else writes a change proposal to this effect, I hope I'll
have time to.

/ Jonas

On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 5:02 PM, Janina Sajka <janina@rednote.net> wrote:
> The following consensus recommendation of the HTML A11Y Task Force (with objections) is
> hereby referred to the HTML Working Group pursuant to the Task Force
> consensus procedures at:
> http://www.w3.org/WAI/PF/HTML/consensus-procedures.html
>
> Recommendation: ISSUE-31 Missing Alt
>
> RESOLUTION: The HTML-A11Y Task Force supports the change proposal at
> http://www.w3.org/html/wg/wiki/ChangeProposals/ImgElement20090126
> to implement WAI Consensus Guidance that a missing text alternative should
> be an error in conformance checkers. We expect the error text will
> reference additional guidance on text alternatives in WCAG support
> materials.
>
> The Task Force notes that this change proposal implements the WAI CG
> Consensus Resolutions on Text alternatives in HTML 5:
> http://www.w3.org/2009/06/Text-Alternatives-in-HTML5.html
>
> Final Vote:
>
> On the WBS Survey:      21 voted "Yes"
>                         2 voted "No"
>
> 91% of Task Force members voting on this resolution
> via WBS voted to support it.
>
> Votes, Comments, and Objections Recorded Against This Recommendation  which were logged via WBS can be found at:
> http://www.w3.org/2002/09/wbs/44061/20040422_text-alt/results
>
> An additional Call for Consensus was issued via email:
> http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html-a11y/2010Apr/0290.html
>
> No additional objection was logged against this proposal via email:
>
> Further comments and discussion in email on this resolution can be found
> beginning at:
> http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html-a11y/2010Apr/0292.html
>
> In considering this discussion, the Task Force agreed it does not oppose
> a "missing" attribute, but did not wish to hold back its
> recommendation while such a mechanism is perfected. The Task Force will
> be pleased to consider such a perfecting proposal when one is offered.
>
> The Task Force approved this resolution without further objection during
> its regular teleconference on Thursday 29 April:
> http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html-a11y/2010Apr/0339.html
>
> Janina Sajka & Mike Smith, Task Force Co-Facilitators
>
> --
>
> Janina Sajka,   Phone:  +1.443.300.2200
>                sip:janina@asterisk.rednote.net
>
> Chair, Open Accessibility       janina@a11y.org
> Linux Foundation                http://a11y.org
>
> Chair, Protocols & Formats
> Web Accessibility Initiative    http://www.w3.org/wai/pf
> World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
>
>
>

Received on Tuesday, 4 May 2010 00:21:53 UTC