RE: Call for Consensus - Publication of Draft Note for Understanding EPUB Accessibility 1.2

> It should either be dropped or expanded significantly.

 

There are plans to expand it. Hence why this is only a first draft request.

 

> Changing titles of published documents will confuse somebody.

 

I’m pretty confident no one has ever been confused by minor name adjustments to drafts, but, as I said, I’m fine with either the current general title or one like “Understanding Accessibility Conformance in EPUB Accessibility 1.2”.

 

Matt

 

From: MURATA Makoto <founder@info-a11y.jp> 
Sent: June 19, 2026 8:58 AM
To: matt.garrish@gmail.com
Cc: Susan Neuhaus <susan@neustudio.com>; W3C PM Working Group <public-pm-wg@w3.org>
Subject: Re: Call for Consensus - Publication of Draft Note for Understanding EPUB Accessibility 1.2

 

 

 

2026年6月19日(金) 20:55 <matt.garrish@gmail.com <mailto:matt.garrish@gmail.com> >:

> "Understanding WCAG Conformance in EPUB Accessibility 1.2"

> would more accurately reflect the actual scope and purpose of this document.

That actually wouldn’t be more accurate since WCAG success criteria is only one part of the document. It also covers the additional objectives introduced by the EPUB Accessibility standard as well as issues with carrying out evaluations.

 

I think that Section 3, "EPUB objectives", currently falls between a summary and an understanding document. Most of its content appears to repeat information already available in EPUB 3.4, EPUB Reading Systems 3.4, and EPUB Accessibility 1.2, while providing little additional guidance or explanation.

It should either be dropped or expanded significantly. If retained, it would be more useful as a true understanding document that explains the rationale, implementation considerations, and practical implications of each objective.

 

We have a separate document on metadata that’s also being finalized which is why it’s not covered by this document:

https://w3c.github.io/publ-a11y/package-metadata-authoring-guide/

 

That could arguably be a WG note since it covers the accessibility standard, but that’s a different question.

 

This document looks like an understanding document for EPUB accessibility metadata.

 

If we were to bring the two documents under the WG, we could make one “Understanding Accessibility Conformance in EPUB Accessibility 1.2” and the other “Understanding Discoverability Metadata in EPUB Accessibility 1.2”.

 

But this is only a request to publish the first public draft so we’re far away from when the final naming of these documents matters. The only concern might be if the short name changes, though I don’t think that’s too much of a hassle to alter.

 

Changing titles of published documents will confuse somebody.  I continue to object.

 

Regards,

Makoto

 

 

Matt

 

From: MURATA Makoto <founder@info-a11y.jp <mailto:founder@info-a11y.jp> > 
Sent: June 18, 2026 10:04 PM
To: Susan Neuhaus <susan@neustudio.com <mailto:susan@neustudio.com> >
Cc: matt-Garrish <matt.garrish@gmail.com <mailto:matt.garrish@gmail.com> >; W3C PM Working Group <public-pm-wg@w3.org <mailto:public-pm-wg@w3.org> >
Subject: Re: Call for Consensus - Publication of Draft Note for Understanding EPUB Accessibility 1.2

 

This document is indeed helpful. However, I object to publication under the current title.

The title "Understanding EPUB Accessibility 1.2" suggests that this document provides detailed guidance for understanding EPUB Accessibility 1.2 itself, in much the same way that the Understanding WCAG documents provide detailed guidance for understanding WCAG requirements.

However, this document does not explain EPUB Accessibility 1.2 as a whole. It does not provide detailed guidance regarding EPUB Accessibility requirements, metadata requirements, discoverability requirements, or other EPUB-specific accessibility provisions.

Instead, the document focuses on a much narrower topic: how WCAG conformance requirements should be interpreted and applied in the context of EPUB publications. Most sections explain whether particular WCAG requirements apply to EPUB publications, do not apply, or require special interpretation.

I therefore believe that the current title is misleading. A title such as:

"Understanding WCAG Conformance in EPUB Accessibility 1.2"

would more accurately reflect the actual scope and purpose of this document.

I would be happy to support publication if the title is revised accordingly.

Regards,

Makoto

 

2026年6月19日(金) 1:09 Susan Neuhaus <susan@neustudio.com <mailto:susan@neustudio.com> >:

Way to go, Matt! 

 

Susan Neuhaus

NeuStudio

We Design Wonder

908.500.7183
neustudio.com <http://neustudio.com> 

 

Co-Chair, Publishing Maintenance Working Group at W3C  https://www.w3.org/groups/wg/pm/

 

 

 

 

On Jun 18, 2026, at 10:55 AM, Eric Hellman <eric@hellman.net <mailto:eric@hellman.net> > wrote:

 

I found this document to be very helpful, Thank you!

 

Eric Hellman
Executive Director

Project Gutenberg

 

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