Re: Meaning of phrases: "described to the user " or "provided to the user"

Is there an agreement on the statement:
A text message, "Please enter the departure date in the correct
format: MM-DD-YYYY" placed, say, next to the field conveying visual
association passes
 3.3.1 and 3.3.3 but fails SC 1.3.1 if it is not programmatically
associated with the field?

Thanks,
Sailesh


On 5/16/16, Sailesh Panchang <sailesh.panchang@deque.com> wrote:
> Please refer to two SCs:
> 3.3.1 Error Identification: If an  input error  is automatically
> detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is
> described to the user in text. (Level A)
> 3.3.3 Error Suggestion: If an  input error  is automatically detected
> and suggestions for correction are known, then the suggestions are
> provided to the user, unless it would jeopardize the security or
> purpose of the content. (Level AA)
>
> I have noted that the phrase, "described to the user " or "provided to
> the user"  are not defined in WCAG 2.0.
> So I interpret these to mean respectively:
> - the identity of the failed field and  a description of why it failed
> validation is available in text on the page
> - a suggestion on how the error condition can be overcome is described
> in text on the page
>
> As an example, a text message, "Please enter the departure date in the
> correct format: MM-DD-YYYY" placed, say, next to the field passes
> 3.3.1 and 3.3.3 in my interpretation of WCAG 2.0.
> As the message may appear to be related to the field  by presentation,
> I suppose SC 1.3.1 kicks in requiring programmatic association.
> The presence of a global error message like, "Errors present, please
> fix them and resubmit the form", or, in its absence, the field
> specific message like the one above is in the nature of a notification
> or an alert. It would be necessary to present it in a manner that it
> really notifies the user.
> In the Web 1.0 days, it would have typically been presented as a JS
> alert or dialog. In today's Web world, it needs a suitable role i.e.
> compliance with 4.1.2.
>
> Surely, if programmatic association and  exposing proper role  to make
> it work with user agents and AT is also being conveyed by the phrases
> "described to the user " or "provided to the user", that is a very
> specific connotation in the context of WCAG 2.0. I would then expect
> these terms to have a normative definition. The extended meaning
> cannot be explained away in the "Intent" which is not normative in my
> opinion.
> This discussion may also have a bearing for changes to WCAG 2.0 being
> debated on.
> I am eager to hear what others think .
> Kind regards,
> Sailesh Panchang
>

Received on Monday, 23 May 2016 16:30:08 UTC