New issue: IMG section of HTML5 draft contradicts WCAG 1 & WCAG 2 (draft)

Gregory, can you add this issue to the issue tracker. thanks.

issue: IMG section of HTML5 draft contradicts WCAG 1 & WCAG 2 (draft).

Currently the IMG section of the draft HTML5 spec contains normative
and informative statements about the alt attribute and how it is to be
used, that contradict the normative and informative statements in WCAG
1.0 and WCAG 2.0 (draft).
A request[1] was made by members of the working group to the PF WG to
provide advice on this issue
The PF WG provided their views [2] on this matter to the HTML WG:
<summary>

1.  By the principles, HTML5 wants to support accessibility

2.  By their charters, WAI groups (here WCAG) are the go-to
experts in matters of accessibility

3.  WCAG requires @alt (WCAG1) or the function that in HTML4
is provided by @alt (WCAG2)  [editorial note -- add links]

4.  By the principles, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

5.  Conclusion:  barring the introduction of new, good
reasons for a change, the failure of the HTML5 draft to make
@alt on <img> an across-the-board requirement (even if sometimes
it has the value of &quot;&quot;) is a bug.

</summary>

There has been no response from the HTML WG  to the PF WG in regards to this.

The purposes of opening this issue is to work towards the HTML5 spec
providing normative and informative statements that are in line with
the WCAG 1.0/WCAG 2.0.

As a part of this process an action item is in place Action 54 - draft
text for HTML 5 spec to require producers/authors to include @alt on
img elements [3]

It is requested that this orphan action item be attached to this new issue.


It is requested that this issue remain open until:
Consensus has been reached by the HTML WG on normative/informative
statements within the HTML 5 spec regarding the alt and its uses or if
consensus cannot be reached, the issue is brought to a formal vote.



[1]http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/wai-xtech/2007Oct/0044.html
[2]http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-html/2008Feb/0082.html
[3] http://www.w3.org/html/wg/tracker/actions/54

-- 
with regards

Steve Faulkner
Technical Director - TPG Europe
Director - Web Accessibility Tools Consortium

www.paciellogroup.com | www.wat-c.org
Web Accessibility Toolbar -
http://www.paciellogroup.com/resources/wat-ie-about.html

Received on Friday, 11 April 2008 08:23:39 UTC