Publishing Updates to Understanding Documents

Hi All,

While I cannot put my hands on the GitHub notification that the
Understanding document for SC 1.4.11 has been updated, we reached a
concensus position a few weeks back to add the following Techniques to the
understanding document for SC 1.4.11:

Success Technique: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Techniques/general/G195

Description

The objective of this technique is enhance the focus indicator in the
browser, by creating a highly visible one in the content. The default focus
indicator in many browsers is a thin,dotted, black line. It can be
difficult to see the line when it is around a form element which already
has an outline, when the focused element is inside a table cell, when the
focused element is very small, or when the background of the page is a dark
color.

In this technique, when the user places focus on an element, using the
mouse, tab key, arrow keys, keyboard shortcuts, or any other method, the
application makes that focus more visible, using a combination of a highly
contrasting color, a thick line, and other visual indicators such as a glow.

Now... here, "highly visible" (or for that matter "visible") is undefined,
at least in WCAG 2.0. I assert that 1.4.11 now defines that as a contrast
minimum, and since this Technique is now attached to the Understanding
1.4.11, I further assert this is true and intentional.

Also:

Failure Technique: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/F78.html

Description

This describes a failure condition that occurs when the user agent's
default visual indication of keyboard focus is turned off or rendered
non-visible by other styling on the page without providing an
author-supplied visual focus indicator.

​

As noted on today's call, the officially published version of the
Understanding Document for SC 1.4.11 has not been updated (and I struggle
to find the Git version to point people to). It is hoped that this update
can be addressed in a timely fashion.

Thanks.

JF
--
John Foliot
Principal Accessibility Strategist
Deque Systems Inc.
john.foliot@deque.com

Advancing the mission of digital accessibility and inclusion