Re: 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) - Sufficient Technique for UI Controls

On Mar 25, 2011, at 2:29 PM, Sailesh Panchang wrote:

> ark,
>> However, we still run into problems with developers on their active UI >components because they are quick to point out that the techniques state >"text or images of text". Therefore their UI controls (or icons) are exempt >from 1.4.3 because they do not have any text associated with them. 
> Well in reality these active  UI elements fail SC 1.1.1 . They are non text elements that have no text equivalents. How is a non-visual user supposed to understand what they  are? So the UI elements need to comply with SC 1.1.1 first, then evaluated for SC 1.4.3 (contrast) and SC 2.4.7 (visual focus indicator). 
> No problem with WCAG 2 there.
> But I do not understand why "inactive controls that are not visible to anyone" figure in the text of SC 1.4.3 under exceptions. If it is not visible then how does contrast matter?
> My contention is that SC 1.4.3 and SC 2.4.7  should be elevated to  Level A status. I see quite a few transgressions of these SC. There are no readily available and workable fixes  via features of the browser / assistive technology for these two SC. In fact some users who do not use AT may encounter these issues. The fixes have to be done by Web content developers.  I'll be happy  to learn if this is incorrect.   
> Sailesh Panchang
> Director, Accessibility Services
> www.deque.com 
> Tel 571-449-3576

Hi Sailesh

Some quick notes that may help with this. 

RE: 1.4.3 and  "inactive controls that are not visible to anyone
There is no exception for "inactive controls that are not visible to anyone".  I think you are reading the provision wrong.  

Incidental:  Text or images of text that are part of an inactive user interface component, that are pure decoration, that are not visible to anyone, or that are part of a picture that contains significant other visual content, have no contrast requirement.

should be read as 

Incidental:  Text or images of text 
	- that are part of an inactive user interface component, 
	- that are pure decoration, 
	- that are not visible to anyone, or 
	- that are part of a picture that contains significant other visual content, 
     have no contrast requirement.


The "not visible to anyone" is there because sometimes people will put white text on white background to add text that is visible to screen readers users only.  or for other reasons.  This simply says that contrast rules do not apply to that text. 


RE: Elevating SC 
- that is not possible anymore.  The WCAG 2.0 has been released and cannot be changed. 


RE work arounds 
--- The text is programmatically determinable so it can be rendered in high contrast if needed using a plug in or special AT.