Re: Baseline & Conformance -- what goes where

Hi,

Here are two suggestions in response to your specific question:

1. Remove the examples from the "Who sets baselines" sub-section in the conformance section of WCAG 2.0. Rationale: the examples are so [intentionally] abstract (they do not mention any technologies or user agents) that they are not very useful. We could have much more practical examples in the "About Baselines" document because we can update more easily and frequently.

On a side note: I have strong reservations on the second example because it only applies to *some* government Web sites that are not [frequently] accessed by non-citizens (for example, it would not be a good strategy for a foreign ministry that provides tourist information). Also, I think we should not be promoting such approaches on public Web sites in general even though they do happen in practice (I think the example here would be Denmark).


2. Move "Baselines are not about audience abilities" section from the "About Baselines" document to the conformance section of WCAG 2.0. Rationale: the background on assumptions of the target audience is helpful advice in choosing appropriate baselines. Especially the following bit: "One assumption that must be made by anyone who creates Web content is that the target audience will include people with disabilities. People with disabilities are to be considered an integral part of all demographics. One cannot exclude people with disabilities from the target audience."


Also, I'm missing something about what to do if authors do not know which "technologies they can assume will be supported by, and active in, user agents (including assistive technologies) that people with disabilities will be using". I am assuming such practical advice may be better elaborated in the "About Baselines" document, but should also be referenced from the conformance section of WCAG 2.0.


Regards,
  Shadi


Shawn Henry wrote:
> 
> EOWG,
> 
> Here is a specific question that I would like to discuss on the list 
> &/or when it fits in the agenda this week or next:
> 
> * That type and amount of information should go in WCAG 2.0 versus the 
> support documents. Specifically for now: What should go in the 
> "Conformance to WCAG 2.0" document, and what should go in the "About 
> Baselines for WCAG 2.0" document? Should some of what is in one now by 
> moved to the other?
> 
> Keep in mind:
> - Conformance <http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/conformance.html> is the 
> official W3C Recommendation, or standard. It is "the" document that any 
> formal references to WCAG 2.0 will use. Once it is completed, it cannot 
> be edited (without going through the W3C Recommendation Track Process).
> - About Baselines <http://www.w3.org/wai/wcag20/baseline/> is a WAI 
> Resource. It is pointed to from WCAG 2.0 and other supporting documents. 
> It can be edited at any time, with the approval of the WCAG Working Group.
> 
> I'm interested in your perspective.
> 
> Regards,
> ~ Shawn
> 
> 

-- 
Shadi Abou-Zahra     Web Accessibility Specialist for Europe | 
Chair & Staff Contact for the Evaluation and Repair Tools WG | 
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Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI),   http://www.w3.org/WAI/ | 
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Received on Thursday, 11 May 2006 10:06:37 UTC