RE: the text in images issue

I am not suggesting an outright ban on text in graphics.  I am asserting
that it is a P2 violation to use graphics to present text.  If a content
provider wants to pair icons with words and wishes to do so in fashion that
can be consider accessible, then she has two good choices:  SVG or CSS.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: w3c-wai-gl-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-gl-request@w3.org] On
> Behalf Of Anne Pemberton
> Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2000 12:03 AM
> To: w3c-wai-gl@w3.org
> Subject: RE: the text in images issue
> 
> 
> Bruce,
> 
> 	You may have a point ... I'm not sure where the idea of 
> an arrow in the
> right and left corners to indicate next one and back one 
> originated, but it
> may be a computer "thing" ... it allows the user control of 
> the timing, but
> the arrows are not intuitive symbols, nor is "a" graphic in 
> the corners.
> Non-readers see the text "next" as a rectangular blob ... 
> 
> 	But as William points out, whatever graphic or word we 
> use, the use of it
> to mean "the page that follows this in the series" will have 
> to be learned
> ... We've got a start on the bottom left and right corner, 
> and arrows are
> the most commonly used graphic... but until they are learned, the text
> needs to be there to make the graphic "accessible" to the 
> maximum number of
> people ... 
> 
> 	Consider, if the word isn't on the graphic, low vision 
> people who need the
> text with the graphic (cuss the fact that they need a crutch, 
> but give it
> to 'em), wouldn't have the text there, and they'll be in the 
> same boat as
> those who use the web without magnification and need the text 
> ... doen't
> magnification users get the mouseover pop-up? 
> 
> 	By banning the text on the graphic, you are 
> handicapping more people than
> you are "accommodating" ... and the "accommodation" doesn't 
> give anything
> more to those who can't see the text on the graphic at their 
> magnification
> level, they are still in the dark as much as everyone else ...
> 
> 						Anne
> 
> 
> At 03:54 PM 12/15/00 -0500, Bailey, Bruce wrote:
>> If an icon image is so weak (or subject to interpretation) 
>> that it requires
>> text to illustrate its function -- then either drop the 
>> image (and just use
>> the text) or improve the graphic!  Unless, of course (and as 
>> the case with
>> Anne) the purpose of the page is to teach literacy skills.

Received on Monday, 18 December 2000 08:22:54 UTC