Re: Proposal for 4.2, Ensure that user interfaces are accessible

A request for clarificaiton.
 
The last of the 6 proposals (all that remains of the Guideline Formerly
Known as 4.2) reads as follows:
<blockquote>
[6] New GL 1.3 Level 1 SC
<proposal>
The role, state and value of every element of the web content can be
programmatically determined. Elements whose states and values can be
changed via the user interface can also be changed programmatically.
</proposal>

</blockquote>
As written, the last sentence says that *elements* whose state and
values can be changed via the user interface can also be changed
programmatically."
 
I'm not sure I understand what's supposed to be programmatically
changeable here.  As written, what gets changed programmatically are
*elements* whose "state and values" have been changed via the user
interface. Inn other words, this means that when something happens in
the user interface that changes either the "state" of an "element" or
its "value" (but not its "role"?), then the "element" itself can (or
should?) be changed programmatically.  
 
Is that right? Would there ever be a situation in which something could
happen at the level of the UI that would result in a change of *role*
for the element? If so, does that change have to be available
programmatically as well?
 
John
The previous sentence talks about "role and state values."
 
 

"Good design is accessible design." 
John Slatin, Ph.D.
Director, Accessibility Institute
University of Texas at Austin
FAC 248C
1 University Station G9600
Austin, TX 78712
ph 512-495-4288, f 512-495-4524
email jslatin@mail.utexas.edu
web http://www.utexas.edu/research/accessibility/
<http://www.utexas.edu/research/accessibility/>