Re: Opinions please - flash site, flash navigation - but accessible alternative

The fact that the navigation will be seperate worries me. If I get a bookmark
to an inaccessible version, I have potentially no idea where to go or what to
do. (But then, are they proposing at least a site that provides basic web
things like bookmarks?)

I presume that by a compliant site they are not proposing a text alternative
to an entirely flash site - there is a considerable difference. To what level
are they proposing the site will conform to W3C guidelines (I presume they
are talking only about WCAG)?

I would advise asking for more detail on these questions before proceeding,
and in particular I would be very concerned about the navigation question -
without a satisfactory answer for that I would not accept such a proposal.

(I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with having a flash
version, but the relationship between that and an accessible version is
something I would like to know a lot about - what will each version look
like, how will users know the difference, if at all, ...)

cheers

Charles McCN

On Mon, 21 Jan 2002, Jim Byrne wrote:

  I would like some thoughts and opinions about the following.

  I am providing advice on accessibility issues for Website aimed at people
  with learning difficulties. The contracted Web designers would like to use
  flash for much of the site - including the main navigation. Their argument
  being that they will also offer and alternative version which will be W3c
  compliant - and thus meet accessibility criteria.

  Users will enter a compliant page and then choose between HTML and Flash. if
  they choose HTML they get a compliant site and if they choose Flash they
  don't. The Flash site is considered to be 'the main site' - and will not be
  compliant with W3c Accessibility Guidelines.

  What are peoples thoughts on this? would you advise agains this - or does it
  not matter - as long as the alternative is accessible?

  Thanks,
  Jim



-- 
Charles McCathieNevile    http://www.w3.org/People/Charles  phone: +61 409 134 136
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative     http://www.w3.org/WAI    fax: +1 617 258 5999
Location: 21 Mitchell street FOOTSCRAY Vic 3011, Australia
(or W3C INRIA, Route des Lucioles, BP 93, 06902 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France)

Received on Monday, 21 January 2002 12:23:22 UTC