Evaluation Process Document (Images)

Equivalent Alternatives (EA):

Part X: Images

Step 1: Does the tool allow users to insert image elements into a markup document (Web authoring tool, word processessor)?

Step 2: Does the tool allow users to create or edit images (paint or drawing program)?

Note: If the tool is a "Markup Editor" then complete section A. If the tool is an "Image Editor" then complete section B. If the tool a "Markup Editor" and an "Image Editor" then complete both sections. If neither case applies, skip this part of the evaluation.

Section A (Tool is a Markup Editor)

Priority 1: Required for all levels of conformance (i.e. A, AA, AAA)

Step A1: Is it possible to add Equivalent Alternatives (EAs) for images using the tool (includes typing them manually)? (1.1)

Step A2: Does the tool preserve the values of the EAs during re-saving, reformatting, etc.? (1.2)

Step A3: Are meaningful EAs included when images are part of markup generated by the tool (ex. wizard)? (1.3)

Step A4: Are EAs included for images that appear as part of templates included with the distribution of the tool (ex. a photo album template)? (1.4)

Step A5: Does the tool automatically generate valid markup with regard to images (ex. is the required ALT attribute present for all HTML4 IMG elements)? (2.2)

Step A6: Does the tool prompt (require, suggest or notify the user of the absence of information and then provide a means for rectifying the situation) for the addition of EAs when an image is inserted? (3.1)

Step A7: Do any images (ex. clipart, etc.) that are included with the distibution of the tool include pre-written EAs? (3.3)

Step A8: Does the tool automatically generate EAs based on the file name, size or other information that is not necessarily related to the content or function of the image.? (3.4)

Step A9: Does the tool resuse previously authored EAs without author confirmation when the function is not known with certainty (ex. the tool automatically uses the same ALT value for two copies of the same image that are linked to different locations)? (3.4)

Step A10: Does the tool check for and notify the author when EAs for images are absent? (4.1)

Step A11: Does the tool assist the author in adding EAs for images when they are found to be absent? (4.2)

P2: Required for level AA and AAA conformance

Step A12a: Does the tool support the latest version of all the markup languages it can be used to produce? (2.1)

Step A12b: Does the tool support the PNG format for inserting raster images and the SVG format for inserting vector graphics? (2.1)

Step A13: Does the tool allow unrecognized markup to be preserved through the editing and re-saving process (ex. will the LONGDESC attribute of IMG be preserved if the tool does not support LONGDESC)? ( 4.3)

Step A14: Does functionality for adding and editing the EAs for images appear well integrated with the overall look and feel of the tool (ex. included within standard image insertion and properties dialogs)? (5.1)

Step A15: Does the documentation regarding the EAs for images appear well integrated with the rest of the documentation (used in examples throughout, not confined to a separate section)? (6.2)

P3: Only required for level AAA conformance

Step A16: If the image-related output of the tool does not conform to W3C specifications (ex. improper use of IMG element in HTML4), does the tool notify the author? (2.3)

Step A17: Does the tool include the ability to search and reuse or otherwise manage the EAs of images? (3.5)

Section B (Tool is an Image Editor)

Priority 1: Required for all levels of conformance (i.e. A, AA, AAA)

Step B1a: If the tool supports image formats with text tracks (i.e. PNG, SVG, WebCGM, JPEG, GIF), is it possible to use the tool to add Equivalent Alternatives (EAs) to the text tracks? (1.1)

Step B1b: Is it possible to use the tool to author Equivalent Alternatives (EAs) for the images that can be stored in separate files (ex. short (ALT) and long (LONGDESC) descriptive text files)? (1.1)

Step B2a: If the tool supports image formats with text tracks, are the text track values preserved during re-saving, conversion to another format that includes text tracks, etc.? (1.2)

Step B2b: If the tool supports separate descriptive files for images, are those files preserved during re-saving or conversion to another image format, etc.? (1.2)

Step B3: Does the tool prompt (require, suggest or notify the user of the absence of information and then provide a means for rectifying the situation) for the addition of separate or text track EAs at some point during the creation of an image (ex. after a successful save). (3.1)

Step B4: Do the images (ex. clipart, etc.) included in the tool's distibution packages include pre-written EAs stored in their text tracks or as separate descriptive files? (3.3)

Step B5: Does the tool automatically generate EAs based on the file name, size or other information that is not necessarily related to the content or function of the image? (3.4)

Step B6a: If the tool supports image formats with text tracks, does the tool check for and notify the author when EAs are absent from this track? (4.1)

Step B6a: Does the tool check for and notify the author when separate descriptive files storing the EAs for an image are absent? (4.1)

Step B7: If the tool supports image formats with text tracks, does the tool assist the author in adding EAs when they are found to be absent? (4.2)

Step B7: Does the tool assist the author in adding EAs to separate descriptive files when they are found to be absent? (4.2)

P2: Required for level AA and AAA conformance

Step B8a: If the tool is intended to produce raster images, does the tool support the Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format? (2.1)

Step B8b: If the tool is intended to produce vector graphics, does the tool support the Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format? (2.1)

Step B9: Does functionality for adding and editing the EAs stored in separate descriptive files or text tracks appear well integrated with the overall look and feel of the tool? (5.1)

Step B10: Does the documentation regarding the adding and editing the EAs stored in separate descriptive files or text track appear well integrated with the rest of the documentation (used in examples throughout, not confined to a separate section)? (6.2)

P3: Only required for level AAA conformance

Step B11a: If the tool produces a raster image in a format besides PNG, does the tool inform the author? (2.3)

Step B11b: If the tool produces a vector graphic image in a format besides SVG, does the tool inform the author? (2.3)

Step B12: Does the tool include the ability to search and reuse or otherwise manage the EAs stored in separate descriptive files or text track? (3.5)