- From: David Norris <kg9ae@geocities.com>
- Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 22:54:27 -0500
- To: <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
As for the complaints about the terms being used; perhaps they are simply misunderstanding what you mean. I would be sure you are using the proper terms to describe what you mean. (e.g. People whom are blind are visually impaired, but, people whom are visually impaired are not necessarily blind.) Several folks have pointed out some proper technical definitions. If you are satisfied that you have a clue what you are saying, then I would not let the complaints adversely affect your work. They may be helpful to keep in mind, though. Perhaps they are keyed into some overtone, that your discussion is portraying, which you have not intended. I don't want to blow anyone's gasket, but, this needs to be mentioned I think. While we are on the subject. A significant portion of the public has this mental block that makes them think people are stupid because of some sort of physical or mental problem. Well, imagine what happens when someone with this attitude is suddenly visually impaired or develops some sort of cognitive disorder. You can probably see the potential for denial. With denial usually comes some sort of hostility toward anything that reminds them, even if it is a good thing in general. With all my rambling being done. Why do most web authoring guidelines insist on having two sets of instructions? One set for people whom are not disabled, and, one set for the real world? I understand, all too well, that all Mosaic-based browsers hideously support the standards. But, why not just put down our foot and pick one way of doing things. You don't have to sacrifice the world to make an accessible web. You don't even have to learn two ways of doing things. Learn them correctly once, and, design accordingly. There wouldn't be much issue if we simply treated accessible web design and web design as one topic. By separating them into two categories, you have to relearn vital parts of web design to make an accessible web. Learning multiple, conflicting ways of creating a web is what costs time and money, not making the web accessible. ,David Norris World Wide Web - http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/1652/ Illusionary Web - http://illusionary.dyn.ml.org/ <-- 02:00 - 10:00 GMT Video/Audio Phone - callto:illusionary.dyn.ml.org Page via mail - 412039@pager.mirabilis.com ICQ Universal Internet Number - 412039 E-Mail - kg9ae@geocities.com
Received on Tuesday, 29 September 1998 23:56:57 UTC