- From: Pawley, Neil <neil.pawley@ccta.gsi.gov.uk>
- Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2000 14:17:23 +0100
- To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Anne, I am afraid that I am to blame for the open.gov.uk website. It is my design and my implementation. Firstly, I would very much like to thank everyone for their past comments, its great to get some quality feedback on what I am trying to do here. I have made a number or corrections and changes in light of these discussions 1. I have downgraded the WAI rating to a single A, until further corrections can be made to achieve a higher level. 2. I have also corrected the DOCTYPE so that the page now validates correctly. I do have some concerns about introducing further graphics into the page. My primary concerns have been reducing possible download speeds and deleting unnecessary eye candy graphics. They are of little use to most people and even less use to the visually impaired. If there is a way in which images can be used to aid usability I am more than willing to experiment. I am also concerned about the WAI guidelines insistence on the SUMMARY attribute for tables. It seems like a good idea in principle but can be more of a hindrance in practice. Browsers for the visually impaired will read out the contents of this attribute, which can be annoying and inefficient if the contents of the table are text based and self explanatory in themselves. Explanations, however short, can just get in the way. Why should we be duplicating information and handicapping the browsing experience of precisely the users we are trying to assist. An example would be the Organisational Index listing on the front page. The title is textual and precise, the next line gives an explanation as to its purpose and the third presents the links to the relevant pages. A SUMMARY attribute is superfluous. I have examined this at length with blind institutions within the UK and their feelings are very similar to mine. If anyone can help on this it would be much appreciated. Once again, I would like to thank everyone for their contributions and hope that there are many more comments to come. name neil pawley internet development consultant open.gov.uk ----------- address central computer & telecommunications agency rosebery court, st andrews business park, norwich nr7 0hs -------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- contact direct line : +44 1603 704852 fax : +44 1603 704817 gtn : 3040 4852 mobile : 0831 320813 email : npawley@ccta.gov.uk "I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered" George Best
Received on Tuesday, 19 December 2000 08:17:29 UTC