Technology independent techniques for GL 3.1 L3 SC3

I was assigned the review and cleanup of the technology independent 
techniques for  GL 3.1 L3 SC3, A mechanism for finding the expanded form 
of acronyms and abbreviations is available [1].  I have split up the 
current technique into three and added one additional technique and some 
examples.

Technique #1:
Using inline expansion

        Provide the acronym or abbreviation immediately following the 
first use of the expanded form within the delivery unit. 
 
                Example:  The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops 
interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and 
tools) to lead the Web to its full potential.
 
Technique #2:
Using a Glossary page
 
        Provide a separate page that lists acronyms and abbreviations 
within the content, and provide the appropriate expansions.  This is most 
appropriate when the acronyms and abbreviations used within the content 
relate to a specific discipline or technology area. 
 
                Example 1: Users of on line chat forums have created 
several acronyms and abbreviations to speed up typing conversations on the 
computer.  For example, LOL refers to laughing out load and FWIW 
abbreviates for what it's worth.   This site would provide a glossary page 
that lists the expansions for the commonly used acronyms and 
abbreviations.
 
                Example 2:  A delivery unit discussing mathematical theory 
would provide a glossary of commonly used mathematical abbreviations and 
acronyms. 
 
Technique #3:
Searching an online dictionary of acronyms
 
        Provide a form that searches an online dictionary of acronyms in 
the language of the content.
 
                Example:  A site that describes how a computer works would 
include a search form on each delivery unit.  The search would be 
performed against an online dictionary of computer terms, acronyms and 
abbreviations. Since the dictionary is specialized for computer terms, the 
acronym expansion found should be more accurate than with a general 
dictionary. 
 
        Note: If there are no online acronym dictionaries for the language 
of the content, authors will need to do at least one of the following:
                Provide a glossary of acronyms and abbreviations used in 
the content.
                Provide the expanded form of each acronym or abbreviation 
the first time it appears in the delivery unit.
 
Technique #4: 
Using a Dictionary Cascade 
 
        Include a dictionary of acronyms and/or a glossary of acronyms and 
abbreviations in a "dictionary cascade," a list of dictionaries and other 
references to search for definitions of words or phrases the user has 
selected. This technique attaches a list of dictionaries to a delivery 
unit so that users can find definitions for all words in the text. The 
"cascade" lists the dictionaries and other reference materials in the 
order most likely to bring up the right definition. This controls the 
order to follow when searching for definitions. (See the Guide to GL 3.1 
L3 SC1 for additional information.)

Note: If there are no online acronym dictionaries for the language of the 
content, authors will need to do at least one of the following:
                Provide a glossary of acronyms and abbreviations used in 
the content.
                Provide the expanded form of each acronym or abbreviation 
the first time it appears in the delivery unit.
 
[1] http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/#meaning-located

Becky Gibson
Web Accessibility Architect
                                                       
IBM Emerging Internet Technologies
5 Technology Park Drive
Westford, MA 01886
Voice: 978 399-6101; t/l 333-6101
Email: gibsonb@us.ibm.com

Received on Monday, 12 September 2005 18:42:30 UTC