- From: Robert Yonaitis <ryonaitis@hisoftware.com>
- Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:52:24 -0400
- To: "Harry Loots" <harry.loots@ikhaya.com>, <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Hello All: I wanted to take a moment to answer this but to add a little more reference information regarding the Accessibility Kit for SharePoint (AKS) project. So First: I would suggest to everyone interested in SharePoint and The accessibility kit for the same (AKS) to joining the community list at http://aks.hisoftware.com/ . In addition I just co-authored a paper that had an associated presentation that was given in Beijing just 2 days ago I think and this paper could provide more information. Lastly, the Kit is released under the Microsoft Public License. http://aks.hisoftware.com/akslicense.html, So you get the source. Now for the questions. What is meant by 'basic solution'? does the kit provide a WCAG Level Double-A compliant MOSS? Basic means that we give the tools necessary to make sites more accessible. There are several parts. New CSS Files, New Master Pages, and Control Adapters, In Addition when downloading the Kit you get the latest copy up my book, Understanding Accessibility - Updated for 2008 and it now covers WCAG 1.0 AA to better address European Union requirements. So here is the basic. On the MOSS Server the user: 1. Installs the Kit 2. Installs control Adapters (for example, a form may not use labels on a web part. The Control adapted will add the labels, of in the Application Interface there may be an image in need of better or more helpful alternative text and a control adapter will add this) 3. The Install installs the Sizing Utility to help to calculate EM's or Percentages to match existing sites as well as the Understanding Accessibility Book. >From here the user needs to configure the site that they are using. It is not drop and go. The book supports the education perspective of the kit and it provides basic guidance and examples for developers. Now for the Second Part of your question: Does AKS allow for the production of a AA Compliant Site? AKS 1.1 does not have this feature. However AKS 2.0 Will provide the feature, tools and example on how to deliver a WCAG AA Compliant Site (This as well is gratis, free, no charge) In addition for those who do not like the nested table layouts 2.0 will provide new control adapters that will fix the tables to be more accessible in edit mode and remove the tables in display mode. This is an important note and in the edit mode it is a web editor and in display it is a web page or application. We strive to add accessibility while not braking down any core features. Again you can learn more about 2.0 at http://aks.hisoftware.com/ What is meant by 'significantly reduces'? In minutes you could have a site where all the text now sizes, a bit longer accessible web parts, then more accessible editing modes. Does it mean that it will clean up code? block code? Yes and Yes or simply make the developer aware allowing them to make changes? and Yes In fact, i'd be very interested to find out how AKS can clear MOSS 2007 which appears to be a load of crud when it comes to trying to make it produce compliant webpages. --- This is 2.0 we are giving examples and tools to clean the crud :) I hope this mail has helped and I recommend that anyone with questions join the AKS Community At http://aks.hisoftware.com/ Best Regards, Rob Yonaitis CTO HiSoftware, Inc. The information in this transmittal (including attachments, if any) is privileged and confidential and is intended only for the recipient(s) listed above. Any review, use, disclosure, distribution or copying of this transmittal is prohibited except by or on behalf of the intended recipient. If you have received this transmittal in error, please notify me immediately by reply email and destroy all copies of the transmittal. Thank you.
Received on Wednesday, 23 April 2008 13:55:07 UTC