- From: Al Gilman <asgilman@access.digex.net>
- Date: Tue, 3 Mar 1998 10:42:44 -0500 (EST)
- To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
- Cc: Philipp.Hoschka@sophia.inria.fr (Philipp Hoschka)
Some more details on the ongoing SMIL process and where we are asking for your input. There is a mini-website at http://www.w3.org/WAI/PF/SMIL which contains a collection of information about requirements and scenarios relating to use of multimedia by people with disabilities or using assistive technology. There are also private conversations going on at the same time about technical details of possible SMIL features, but we (the WAI-PF working group) have agreed with SYMM to host a public discussion at the level of usage scenarios and operational requirements so that we can have the benefit of the expertise of the wider WAI-IG community. Current contents of the mini-WebSite are Overview: George Kerscher provides his personal perspective on accessible multimedia. Scenarios: A start at a collection of usage scenarios, kindness of Cindy King. Recommendations: A DRAFT of recommendations for SMIL to maximize accessibility is up for discussion. Let us hear from you As Judy outlined, please send your comments to this list or the WAI-PF depending on the likelihood of general interest. Technical Detail Please send detailed technical or editorial points to the WAI-PF mailing list at <w3c-wai-pf@w3.org>. If you use the acronym SMIL in your subject line it will be appreciated. Operational Considerations Follow up on the Interest Group list at <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org> with more general ideas as to how multimedia can serve people with disabilities. We are interested in input that pertains to both thresholds and goals for accessibility. Thresholds are the point at which information becomes utterly unusable. Goals are scenarios that describe how a person with a disability (and possibly using assistive technology) can interact with content normally presented as a multimedia show in a way that is slick and truly convenient. SMIL will not cure all the ills of the world but it looks to be a big step forward. We need your help to make it a sure-footed step forward, as informed as possible by an understanding of how to provide full and independent access to information for all. What happens with your Input? The WAI-PF team working on the SMIL review will update the public pages here with your comments as an operational description of accessible multimedia. We will use this description for reference and motivation in the private discussion of technical details in the developmental specification. This public area will be kept open and updated to reflect your comments until it is retired on or before the public release of a Proposed Recommendation for SMIL from the W3C. Al Gilman -- Chair, WAI-PF Working Group
Received on Tuesday, 3 March 1998 10:42:51 UTC