Re: Macromedia Flash

I don't know of any resources about flash and accessibility. I don't think we
need to say "don't use it", but since it is inaccessible (and there are still
plenty of people like me without the plugin available) be aware that only
some of your audience will get the flash, and you need to provide equivalent
alternative access.

Flash is built primarily using vector-based graphics as I understand it - the
same sort of thing that SVG does. And there is some work on accessible SVG
already.

Charles McCN

On Wed, 22 Mar 2000, Paul Booth wrote:

  I've recently been asked some questions about Macromedia Flash.
  
  I've been looking through the archives and found some postings about this
  way back in September of last year.
  
  I understand how using the OBJECT element to provide more than just simple
  alt text, or by providing an image map for users who don't have the flash
  plug-in can be used to increase the accessibility of flash.  (See
  http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/w3c-wai-ig/1999JulSep/0471.html)
  
  I've noticed in a few web sites recently the use of more complex flash
  pieces for substantial parts of their web sites (i.e. a number of connected
  scenes instead of a stand alone scene that points to other web pages).  I
  guess this falls under Checkpoint 1.1 in the WCAG checklist - but what if
  the content is too dynamic to really allow meaningful text equivalents?  Or
  is there a way around this. (or was that what was described previously but I
  didn't pick up on it?).
  
  Is it the case, that as far as users with screen readers go, that there is
  not really much that can be done for sites that use complex flash apart from
  have non-flash versions. (I was at a Macromedia demo recently where they
  claimed there was no longer a need to do that as everyone had the flash
  plug-in!).
  
  This is the case, should it be a recommendation (of a body such as mine)
  that users do not use Flash.  (and given that, does anyone know if
  Macromedia are doing anything about it).
  
  Can anyone point me to any resources about Flash & accessibility?
  
  Cheers
  
  - Paul
  --
  Paul Booth, Project Officer, DISinHE Office.
  Disability and Information Systems in Higher Education
  t: 01382 345050 f: 01382 345509 w: http://www.disinhe.ac.uk/
  

--
Charles McCathieNevile    mailto:charles@w3.org    phone: +61 (0) 409 134 136
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative                      http://www.w3.org/WAI
Location: I-cubed, 110 Victoria Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Postal: GPO Box 2476V, Melbourne 3001,  Australia

Received on Sunday, 2 April 2000 16:35:41 UTC