Use of role="application" for flash files

I recieved a question about the use of role="application" for Flash
files in web pages.
My response was
"The role of application does something quite specific, it tells the
AT to switch modes (if the AT uses them). It was only added as a
landmark role the other day, so I don't think the PF WG have thought
about it in terms of its landmark use. It would make sense for a flash
movie that is an interactive widget to be given a role="application" i
guess..."
(http://www.paciellogroup.com/blog/?p=106)


any thoughts or guidance on this?

While on this subject, with the behaviour of some AT being the
switching of modes when a container with role="application" is
encountered, will this not have a negative effect upon the
navigability of landmark roles, as it is my understanding that
landmark role navigation will only work in virtual mode?

-- 
with regards

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

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

Received on Friday, 16 January 2009 16:12:06 UTC