Re: HTML5 implementor feedback requested - title attribute accessibility mapping

There are probably nuances to this I'm not thinking of, but I would probably advocate for the usage of aria-label here except perhaps where the usage of title-as-tooltip converges with title-as-accessible-naming-technique.

Does that make sense?

Cheers,
David

----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Faulkner" <faulkner.steve@gmail.com>
> To: "david bolter" <david.bolter@gmail.com>
> Cc: "Adrian Bateman" <adrianba@microsoft.com>, "Maciej Stachowiak" <mjs@apple.com>, "Anne van Kesteren"
> <annevk@opera.com>, "L. David Baron" <dbaron@dbaron.org>, "HTMLWG WG" <public-html@w3.org>, "Sam Ruby"
> <rubys@intertwingly.net>, "Paul Cotton" <Paul.Cotton@microsoft.com>, "Ian Hickson" <ian@hixie.ch>, "HTML Accessibility
> Task Force" <public-html-a11y@w3.org>, "David Bolter" <dbolter@mozilla.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 11:08:36 AM
> Subject: Re: HTML5 implementor feedback requested - title attribute accessibility mapping
> Hi dave,
> 
> so in your opinion is use of the title attribute to provide an
> accessible name for an element an acceptable method in some cases?
> 
> for example in the following WCAG 2.0 techniques it recommends the
> title attribute for form controls
> 
> "The objective of this technique is to use the title attribute to
> label form controls when the visual design cannot accommodate the
> label "
> http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/H65
> 
> or the the use of the title attribute to identify iframe and frame
> elments:
> "The use of title as described in this technique is recommended "
> http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG-TECHS/H64.html
> 
> regards
> stevef
> 
> On 13 December 2011 15:46, david bolter <david.bolter@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > I don't expect we (Mozilla) will stop using the title attribute
> > value as a
> > last resort in attempting to provide an accessible name, that would
> > regress
> > accessibility.
> >
> > My opinion.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > David
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 6:54 AM, Steve Faulkner
> > <faulkner.steve@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi Adrian, Maciej, Anne and David
> >> (note: if there is a more approriate implementor representative
> >> this
> >> email should go to please advise)
> >>
> >> Your feedback on this would be appreciated.
> >>
> >> The title attribute as implemented (in all browsers that implement
> >> accessibility support) is mapped to the accessible name in all
> >> accessibility APIs in all browsers (that implement mapping), so in
> >> the
> >> absence of other labelling mechanisms, all HTML form controls are
> >> labelled by the title attribute content if present. The same goes
> >> for
> >> most other HTML elements. This reality is not reflected in the
> >> usage
> >> advice in the spec.
> >>
> >> There is a WCAG technique that documents how to use the title
> >> attribute to label controls: H65: Using the title attribute to
> >> identify form controls when the label element cannot be used
> >> http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/H65
> >>
> >> There is another WCAG 2.0 technique that documents how to use the
> >> title attribute to identify frame and iframe elements
> >> H64: Using the title attribute of the frame and iframe elements
> >> http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG-TECHS/H64.html
> >>
> >> The HTML5 specification does not provide any advice on how the
> >> title
> >> attribute content is used (as detailed above).
> >> I filed a bug https://www.w3.org/Bugs/Public/show_bug.cgi?id=14740
> >>
> >> the rationale provided by the HTML5 editor for its rejection:
> >>
> >> "Rationale: If browsers map it in a manner inconsistent with its
> >> meaning,
> >> that
> >> should be fixed."
> >>
> >> Do any implementors have any plans to change the current
> >> implementation in browsers to match the HTML5 specification
> >> meaning?
> >>
> >> i.e. are there any plans to stop mapping the title attribute to the
> >> accessible name in accessibility APIs? So that it does not provide
> >> a
> >> label for controls and other elements?
> >>
> >>
> >> with regards
> >> Stevef
> >>
> >
> 
> 
> 
> --
> with regards
> 
> Steve Faulkner
> Technical Director - TPG
> 
> www.paciellogroup.com | www.HTML5accessibility.com |
> www.twitter.com/stevefaulkner
> HTML5: Techniques for providing useful text alternatives -
> dev.w3.org/html5/alt-techniques/
> Web Accessibility Toolbar -
> www.paciellogroup.com/resources/wat-ie-about.html

Received on Tuesday, 13 December 2011 16:44:30 UTC