Re: Using <h2> as subtitle in W3C specifications

Would it be better to keep the subheading in the same <h#> element, and indicate the sub-level status semantically. A <p> outside the heading does not do that. Some suggestions.

1. <small> inside heading.
   <h1>Heading <small>Sub-heading</small></h1>

2. Even <div> inside heading, possibly with a role. (less semantic than h1>small, but still better than h1+p)
   <h1>Heading <div>Sub-heading</div></h1>

Should we consider adding an ARIA role for "subheading"?

James


> On Mar 12, 2015, at 6:56 AM, Robin Berjon <robin@w3.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> it is the current practice in W3C specifications to use an <h2> element for a specification's subtitle (either the actual subtitle, or the "W3C $SPEC_STATUS $DATE" part.
> 
> It so happens that this is a practice which is frowned upon by the HTML specification:
> 
>    "h1–h6 elements must not be used to markup subheadings, subtitles,
>     alternative titles and taglines unless intended to be the heading
>     for a new section or subsection."
>    -- http://www.w3.org/TR/html5/common-idioms.html#sub-head
> 
> The suggested fix would be to transition to using a <p> element with a specific class. This is what HTML5 used to do (because it had special dispensation to break stuff) but that won't be possible with the new automatic publishing system. Also, it's nicer to follow our own suggestions in general.
> 
> If this is agreed upon, we'll have a transition period so that everyone has time to make this small change.
> 
> -- 
> Robin Berjon - http://berjon.com/ - @robinberjon
>

Received on Friday, 13 March 2015 00:23:02 UTC