· Understanding Guideline 3.1 L3 SC7
· Techniques for meeting Guideline 3.1 L3 SC7
· Benefits and Examples of Guideline 3.1 L3 SC7
7. Simplified graphical illustrations are available when text presents ideas or describes processes that users must understand in order to use the content.
Note: This success criterion is in DRAFT form. It is presented to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Working Group as a formal proposal, but it has not earned the consensus of the Working Group, and it does not appear in the current Public Working Draft at http://www.w3.org/tr/wcag20. It is presented here for discussion only. It must not be cited as a normative reference.
[Note: This success criterion does not introduce new terms.]
The intent of this success criterion is to ensure that graphical alternatives are provided when text presents ideas or describes processes that are important to understanding and using the content.
This success criterion does not require graphical alternatives for all text content, and does not prevent presentation of complex ideas and processes. It requires that graphical illustrations are provided when users must understand complex ideas or processes in order to use the content.
This success criterion applies when the delivery unit includes text that presents ideas and/or information that users must understand in order to use the content.
Users with disabilities that lead them to concentrate on decoding words and sentences are likely to have trouble understanding ideas and processes described in text. Visual illustrations often help these users. For example,
· Charts and graphs help users understand complex data.
· Diagrams, flowcharts, videos, and animations help users understand processes.
· Concept maps and other graphic organizers help users understand how ideas are related to each other.
· Photographs, videos, and drawings can help users understand natural or historical events or objects.
· Use a sequence of images to help users develop a clearer understanding of complex ideas or processes.
· Use SVG to illustrate the structure of ideas and processes.
· Use the Dublin Core <accessibility> element to identify each illustration as a graphical alternative for a specific segment of text.
This success criterion benefits people with reading disabilities who can understand complex ideas and processes presented in graphical form.
People with reading disabilities have become successful scientists, engineers, artists, actors, attorneys, surgeons, and skilled professionals in many other fields. But they are often at a significant disadvantage when ideas and information they need are available only as text.
· [Need examples of good illustrative material that works for people with LD]
Related resources
· Tufte, E. (1983). The visual display of quantitative information. Cheshire, Conn.: Graphics Press.
· Tufte, E. (1990). Envisioning information. New Haven: Graphics Press.
· Tufte, E. (1989). Visual design of the user interface : information resolution, interaction of design elements, color for the user interface, typography and icons, design quality. Armonk, NY: IBM.
· Tufte, E. (1997). Visual explanations : images and quantities, evidence and narrative. Cheshire, Conn.: Graphics Press.
· The Internet offers many resources on using graphic organizers and other visualization techniques to support learning
· Search the Internet and/or local libraries for resources about illustration in specific subject areas