Re: Question about HTML abbr and acronym tags

Peter Neumann wrote:
> For example, lets rewrite the following piece of text:
> ... unique IDs in a table...
> 
> If you mark this up with
> ... unique <abbr title="Identities">IDs</abbr> in a table...
> it will be displayed by browsers as
> .. unique IDs in a table...
> and will be read out by screen-readers as
> .. unique Identities in a table...

Peter, I agree that "identities" (or "identifiers") would be more clear 
as they are not only read by screenreaders, but also shown as a tooltip. 
Let's not forget that accessibility isn't just for "those blind people," 
but for improving access for all. Therefore people with cognitive 
challenges in particular, or simply non-native speakers or people who 
are unfamiliar with an abbreviation in general profit from an explanation.

Getting rid of ABBR or ACRONYM altogether like Jukka proposes is like 
the HTML 5 Working Group's argument to drop alternative text for images 
for the reason that people are too stupid to use them properly. OK, so 
we need a clear definition and better outreach and education.

People actually benefit from those elements and attributes. Even if they 
only represent a small fraction of the users, and even if only a 
fraction of developers and manufacturers do it right, for them it is not 
a matter of a fraction, but a binary decision: 100% access, or access 
denied.

Cheers,
   Martin

http://learningtheworld.eu

Received on Tuesday, 8 January 2008 14:13:44 UTC