Re: Word and PDF Figure Accessibility

>
> In my opinion, one of those gaps deals with the color contrast requirement
> for graphics. Success Criterion 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast states, “The
> visual presentation of the following [must] have a contrast ratio of at
> least 3:1 against adjacent colors.” The part that presents difficulty is,
> “Parts of graphics required to understand the content, except when a
> particular presentation of graphics is essential to the information being
> conveyed.”
>
> First, I don’t know that I even fully understand that last part. It sounds
> like graphics must meet the ratio unless they’re important. This doesn’t
> sound logical, but I’m sure I’m wrong.


To sort out the wording here, Dennis, the SC requires that parts of
graphics that are required to understand the content must pass the 3:1
contrast requirements *unless* the way that the graphics present that
information requires use of color combinations, patterning, etc. that
cannot pass the SC. So graphics that are presenting important information
must meet the requirement, yes, but if there's something about that
presentation that makes meeting the requirement impossible, that graphic
can be considered an exception to the SC. As Jonathan noted, the use you
described is exactly the kind of content that's being considered an
exception. While the firm you're working with probably does need to find
alternative ways to make that information accessible, they don't have to do
it by forcing the colors to conform to 1.4.11.


When you're thinking about text alternatives, I would say that it's also
best to make that text alternative visible (even as a keyboard navigable
pop-up sort of thing, problematic as pop-ups can be)--don't leave it in as
"screen reader only." Having visible text will help those of us who have
difficulty sorting out graphical material but who don't necessarily use
screen readers.


-Annie