'non-text content', and other terms...

Dear all,

 

The general term 'non-text content' is defined in the WCAG 2.0 Glossary to
mean: 

non-text content includes but is not limited to images, text in raster
images, image map regions, animations (e.g., animated GIFs),
<http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/WD-WCAG20-20041119/#asciiartdef#asciiartdef>
ASCII art, images used as list bullets, spacers, graphical buttons, sounds
(played with or without user interaction), stand-alone audio files, audio
tracks of video, and video. It also includes any
<http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/WD-WCAG20-20041119/#textdef#textdef> text that
can not be translated into Unicode.

However, when you read the Guidelines and the Techniques documents you
become aware of the fact that far more specific terms like 'image', 'video',
'audio', 'animation', etc...  are sometimes being used in its place.   

 

The use of these more specific terms in place of 'non-text' content brings
the possibility that some of the guidelines and techniques are 'potentially'
being reduced in their intended scope...

 

So, I was wondering - "should all references to specific terms (like
'image') be checked with the intention of identifying whether or not the use
of 'non-text content' was in fact intended"?

Whilst reading the documents I have also noticed that often several
different terms are being used to refer to a single piece of content or
concept - which could be considered a little confusing.  To clarify the
situation I would suggest that the following changes to the current
definitions be considered:

*        That the term 'video content' be used in place of 'video' (where
the use of 'video' implies 'video content'), 'video file', 'video
presentation', 'video clip', 'video-only' and 'animation' (in places where
'animation' is not intended to be an animated graphic).

*        That the term 'audio content' be used in place of 'audio' (where
the use of 'audio' implies 'audio content'), 'audio-only', 'audio file',
'audio clip', 'audio information'.

*        That the term 'real-time' be used in place of 'live', as 'live' is
undefined.

I shall look forward to any comments or thoughts people might have.

Alistair

 

Alistair Garrison 

Managing Director 

Accessinmind Limited UK Filial

 

Tel.: 0046 8 44 65 287
Website: http://www.accessinmind.com
 
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