Terminology, Etc. - Sections 3 and 4

To: AU List, CG List, UA List
From: Eric Hansen
Re: Terminology, Etc. - Sections 3 and 4

Section 3 - Taxonomy of Accessibility Information

This document provides a draft taxonomy of "accessibility information" as I 
think it is reflected in the three WAI documents (Web content, user agent, 
and authoring tools).

Taxonomy of Accessibility Information

1. All Web information
1.1. Accessibility Information (Could we eliminate "Alternative information" 
[ATAG 10/26/99]???). 
1.1.1. "alternative equivalents" [CG 5/5/99] or "equivalent alternatives" [AU 
10/26/99]. 
1.1.1.1. Text equivalents - Note. These may be rendered as synthesized 
speech, braille, or visually-displayed text. 
==
1.1.1.1.1. Unsynchronized text equivalents (Simple text equivalents) = Text 
equivalents for which synchronization is not part of their definition.
1.1.1.1.1.1 Text transcript (for audio-only presentations and auditory tracks 
of movies and animations)
1.1.1.1.1.2. Collated text transcript (for movies and animations). (WCAG 
checkpoint 1.1, P1) 
1.1.1.1.1.3. Text equivalent of visual track (for movies and animations) - 
used to create synthesized-speech auditory descriptions (WCAG checkpoint 1.1, 
P1; see checkpoint 1.3) 
1.1.1.1.1.4. Short and long text equivalents for images and short sounds 
(WCAG checkpoint 1.1, P1)
1.1.1.1.1.5. Unsynchronized (simple) text equivalents for other non-text 
elements not already addressed by earlier text equivalents (WCAG checkpoint 
1.1, P1) [I assume that the text equivalents for most of the non-text 
elements (e.g., most applets and programmatic objects, ascii art, scripts, 
etc.) listed in WCAG checkpoint 1.1 would be "simple" (unsynchronized)]
1.1.1.1.2. Synchronized text equivalents = text equivalents for which 
synchronization is part of their definition. Generally, these involve 
synchronization with a movie, animation, or audio-only presentation. 
Synchronization might permit rendering in a variety of ways, but primarily 
utility is usually centered in a single modality (visual or auditory).
1.1.1.1.2.1. Captions = text transcript that is synchronized with the 
relevant audio-only presentation or audio/visual tracks. (The primary utility 
of captions is for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing; they are 
usually rendered visually along with the audio-only or visual/auditory 
tracks) (May need to modify this if WCAG requires captions for audio-only 
presentations). [IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE CAPTIONS FOR WHAT IS 
HAPTIC/KINESTHETIC CONTENT?]
1.1.1.1.2.2. Text equivalent of a {not "the"} visual track of a movie or 
animation that is synchronized with the auditory track. (The primary utility 
is for producing synthesized auditory descriptions for individuals with 
visual disabilities. As an aside, this text script is useful to people who 
are developing prerecorded auditory descriptions [with human speech]. See 
auditory descriptions.)  
1.1.1.1.2.3. Collated text transcript that is synchronized with a movie, 
auditory track, visual track, or other equivalents. [Needs to be spelled out 
more prominently in WCAG and other documents.] [NEED TO REVIEW DEFINITION OF 
MULTIMEDIA. CAN IT INCLUDE TACTILE/HAPTIC PRESENTATIONS?] (Requirement for 
this is implied in WCAG checkpoint 1.4, P1)
1.1.1.1.2.4. Other synchronized text equivalents (Yet to be define?)
1.1.1.2. Non-text equivalents
1.1.1.2.1. Unsynchronized non-text equivalents (Simple non-text equivalents) 
= Non-text equivalents for which synchronization is not part of their 
definition.
1.1.1.2.1.1. Still visual equivalents (images) for other content (partially 
implied by WCAG checkpoint 14.2: "Supplement text with graphic or auditory 
presentations where they will facilitate comprehension of the page. [Priority 
3]", though non-text equivalents are not actually required by WCAG).
1.1.1.2.1. Synchronized non-text equivalents = Non-text equivalents for which 
synchronization is part of their definition.
1.1.1.2.1.1. Auditory descriptions (WCAG checkpoint 1.4,  P1 [Fix this 
checkpoint]) (Note: Auditory descriptions consisting of both prerecorded and 
synthesized speech are also possible.)
1.1.1.2.1.1.1. Prerecorded auditory descriptions (WCAG checkpoint 1.3, P1 
[Fix this checkpoint])
1.1.1.2.1.1.2. Synthesized auditory descriptions (WCAG checkpoint 1.3, P1? 
[Fix this checkpoint]) 
1.1.1.2.1.2. Movies of manual communication as equivalents for other 
information (not required by WCAG)
1.1.1.3. Redundant text links 
1.1.4.1.1. Redundant text links for active regions for server side image maps 
(WCAG checkpoint 1.2, P1)
1.1.4.1.2. Redundant text links for active regions of client-side image maps 
("Until user agents", checkpoint 1.5, P3)
1.1.1.4. "Alternative Equivalent" for a layout table (e.g., "linearized 
version" of a table) (WCAG checkpoint 5.3, P2) (I argued for this being a 
full-fledged "equivalent" yet that suggestion was said to be not adopted, but 
WCAG designates this as an "alternative equivalent") (See WCAG checkpoint 
10.3. P3. I am not sure that I understand the relationship between 
checkpoints 5.3 and 10.3).
1.1.2. Expansions of abbreviations and acronyms (4.2: P3)
1.1.3. Supplementary information for Tables (term is not used in guideline 
docs)
1.1.3.1. Summaries for tables (WCAG checkpoint 5.5, P3)
1.1.3.2. Abbreviations for table header labels (WCAG checkpoint 5.6, P3)
1.1.3.3. Row and column headers for data tables (WCAG checkpoint 5.1, P1)
1.1.3.4. Markup to associate data cells and header cells in complex tables 
(WCAG checkpoint 5.2, P1)
1.1.4. Place-holding characters in edit boxes and text areas ("Until user 
agents", WCAG checkpoint 10.4, P3)
1.1.5. Information About Natural Language
1.1.5.1. Natural language designation (WCAG checkpoint 4.3, P3)
1.1.5.2. Natural language changes (WCAG checkpoint 4.1, P1)
1.1.6. Accessibility Markup in Special Markup Languages
1.1.6.1. Accessibility markup in MathML
1.1.6.2. Accessibility markup in SMIL
1.1.6.3. Other
1.1.7. Alternative accessible pages (see WCAG checkpoint  6.5, P2; checkpoint 
6.3)
1.1.8. Style and formatting information that is specific to particular 
accessible output modes
1.1.8.1. Style sheet information for accessibility purposes (various WCAG 
checkpoints)
1.1.8.2. Non-link, printable characters (surrounded by spaces) between 
adjacent links. ("Until user agents", WCAG checkpoint 10.5, P3)
1.1.9. Directions for accessibility features
1.1.10. Links to accessibility features
1.1.11. Simplified versions of content (not required by WCAG; see checkpoint 
14.1)
1.2. Non-Accessibility Information
1.2.1. Text elements (or portions thereof) already expressed in "clearest and 
simplest language" (WCAG checkpoint 14.1). 
1.2.2. Style and formatting information not required for disability access 
(there may not be much)
1.2.3. Deprecated formatting markup.

Section 2 - Notes on the Taxonomy

1. Please note that the taxonomy is NOT organized around other important 
distinctions such as "primary" content vs "alternative" content.

While much accessibility is usually "alternative" much is not. Furthermore, I 
have not yet found a perfect definition of  "primary" content. Part of the 
difficulty lies in the multi-faceted definition of "content". The term is 
used so many ways. Sometimes we mean rendered content, sometimes unrendered, 
sometimes we mean the stuff between start and end tags, etc. Also, within 
either primary or secondary content, there may be various degrees of 
accessibility. Possible definitions might be:
a. All content that is not an "equivalent" (Problem: It is possible for some 
equivalents to be part of the "primary content". Example, Web-based 
instruction that gives examples of alt-text, auditory descriptions, etc.)
b. All content not stored in a location/container known for its accessibility 
function. 
c. All content not having its "entry point" in a location known for its 
accessibility function. 
d. All content. This is a possibility, since all content should be accessible 
or 
e. All content that is not alternative content
f. All content that is intended for the general audience (minus equivalents 
provided for people with disabilities)

Other distinctions that are NOT a primary basis for the taxonomy are: (a) 
cost to implement, (b) priority, (c) mechanism or location of implementation, 
(d) distinction between "content", "structure", and "formatting".

2. The definitions of  "synchronized" equivalents have been added. The term 
"simple text equivalents" is a new term that may be useful. Out of all 
possible synchronized equivalents, only a few are required.

==================================

Section 4 - Usage of Terminology in the WAI documents

The following information shows usage of some key terms in each of seven 
documents. The terms are: (a) "Accessibility Information",  (b) "Alternative 
Information", (c) "Equivalent Alternative(s)" or "Alternative Equivalent(s)". 

The listings may not be complete. My parsing routines seem to be imperfect.

I am sending a more detailed of this material to Ian Jacobs and Charles 
McCathieNevile. It shows in occurrence in context.

Files Searched
c:\waidoc\ug991220.htm - UAAG - 20 Dec 1999
c:\waidoc\ut991210.htm - UAAG Techniques - 20 Dec 1999
c:\waidoc\ag991222.htm - ATAG - 22 Dec 1999
c:\waidoc\at9912222.htm - ATAG - 22 Dec 1999
c:\waidoc\cg990505.htm - WCAG - 5 May 1999
c:\waidoc\ct990505.htm - WCAG  Techniques - 5 May 1999
c:\waidoc\ce991123.htm - WCAG Errata - 23 November 1999 
===================================================
"Accessibility Information"
Regular Expression (regex) Pattern for Matching: 
r"""accessibility\s+information"""
c:\waidoc\cg990505.htm
c:\waidoc\ct990505.htm
c:\waidoc\ug991220.htm
c:\waidoc\ce991123.htm
c:\waidoc\ut991220.htm
c:\waidoc\ag991222.htm
c:\waidoc\at991222.htm
end of list of files
=================
c:\waidoc\cg990505.htm
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\cg990505.htm : 0
=================
c:\waidoc\ct990505.htm
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ct990505.htm : 0
=================
c:\waidoc\ug991220.htm
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ug991220.htm : 0
=================
c:\waidoc\ce991123.htm
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ce991123.htm : 0
=================
c:\waidoc\ut991220.htm
     -->  accessibility information
     -->  accessibility information
     -->  accessibility information
     -->  accessibility information
     -->  accessibility information
     -->  accessibility information
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ut991220.htm : 6
=================
c:\waidoc\ag991222.htm
     -->  accessibility information
     -->  Accessibility<newline>Information
     -->  Accessibility information
     -->  Accessibility<newline>information
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ag991222.htm : 4
=================
c:\waidoc\at991222.htm
     -->  accessibility information
     -->  accessibility information
     -->  accessibility information
     -->  accessibility information
     -->  Accessibility<newline>Information
     -->  Accessibility information
     -->  Accessibility<newline>information
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\at991222.htm : 7
=================
total matches for  7  files:  17
end of run
==========================================================================
"Alternative Information"
Regular Expression (regex) Pattern for Matching: 
r"""alternative\s+information"""
c:\waidoc\cg990505.htm
c:\waidoc\ct990505.htm
c:\waidoc\ug991220.htm
c:\waidoc\ce991123.htm
c:\waidoc\ut991220.htm
c:\waidoc\ag991222.htm
c:\waidoc\at991222.htm
end of list of files
=================
c:\waidoc\cg990505.htm
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\cg990505.htm : 0
=================
c:\waidoc\ct990505.htm
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ct990505.htm : 0
=================
c:\waidoc\ug991220.htm
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ug991220.htm : 0
=================
c:\waidoc\ce991123.htm
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ce991123.htm : 0
=================
c:\waidoc\ut991220.htm
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ut991220.htm : 0
=================
c:\waidoc\ag991222.htm
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative <newline>Information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  Alternative <newline>Information
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ag991222.htm : 12
=================
c:\waidoc\at991222.htm
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative<newline>Information
     -->  Alternative <newline>Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative<newline>information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative<newline>information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  Alternative <newline>Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative <newline>Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  Alternative<newline>Information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  Alternative Information
     -->  Alternative <newline>Information
     -->  alternative information
     -->  alternative information
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\at991222.htm : 50
=================
total matches for  7  files:  62
end of run
======================================================================
"Equivalent Alternative(s)" or "Alternative Equivalent(s)""
Regular Expression (regex) Pattern for Matching: 
r"""(equivalent\s{1,2}?alternatives?|alternative\s{1,2}?equivalents?)"""
c:\waidoc\cg990505.htm
c:\waidoc\ct990505.htm
c:\waidoc\ug991220.htm
c:\waidoc\ce991123.htm
c:\waidoc\ut991220.htm
c:\waidoc\ag991222.htm
c:\waidoc\at991222.htm
end of list of files
=================
c:\waidoc\cg990505.htm
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  alternative equivalent
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\cg990505.htm : 5
=================
c:\waidoc\ct990505.htm
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  alternative equivalent
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ct990505.htm : 3
=================
c:\waidoc\ug991220.htm
     -->  Alternative <newline>Equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalent
     -->  equivalent alternative
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalent
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  Alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalent
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ug991220.htm : 23
=================
c:\waidoc\ce991123.htm
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ce991123.htm : 0
=================
c:\waidoc\ut991220.htm
     -->  alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalent
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  Alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalent
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalent
     -->  alternative equivalent
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalent
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  Alternative Equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ut991220.htm : 34
=================
c:\waidoc\ag991222.htm
     -->  equivalent<newline>alternatives
     -->  equivalent<newline>alternative
     -->  equivalent alternative
     -->  equivalent alternative
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  equivalent alternative
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  Equivalent<newline>Alternative
     -->  Equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  Equivalent Alternative
     -->  equivalent<newline>alternatives
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\ag991222.htm : 15
=================
c:\waidoc\at991222.htm
     -->  equivalent<newline>alternatives
     -->  equivalent<newline>alternatives
     -->  equivalent<newline>alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternative
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent<newline>alternative
     -->  equivalent alternative
     -->  equivalent alternative
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  alternative<newline>equivalents
     -->  alternative equivalents
     -->  equivalent<newline>alternative
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternative
     -->  equivalent<newline>alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternative
     -->  equivalent alternative
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  Equivalent<newline>Alternative
     -->  Equivalent alternatives
     -->  equivalent alternatives
     -->  Equivalent Alternative
     -->  equivalent<newline>alternatives
====================
Total matches in file c:\waidoc\at991222.htm : 27
=================
total matches for  7  files:  107
end of run
<END OF MEMO>

Received on Tuesday, 28 December 1999 01:30:39 UTC