[html4all] Fwd: Request for PFWG WAI review of Omitting alt Attribute for Critical Content

[Laura Carlson]

f.y.i.

The following request was sent today, asking for a  review  of the
"Omitting alt Attribute for Critical Content" issue.

PFWG is the W3C's "Protocols and Formats Working Group". Part of their
mission is to review  specifications under development in other W3C
Working Groups in to ensure consideration of accessibility-related
needs.

Best Regards,
Laura

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Laura Carlson
Date: Oct 23, 2007 8:04 AM
Subject: Request for PFWG WAI review of Omitting alt Attribute for
Critical Content
To: wai-xtech at w3.org, Al Gilman <alfred.s.gilman at ieee.org>, Judy
Brewer <jbrewer at w3.org>, Michael Cooper <cooper at w3.org>,
wai-liaison at w3.org
Cc: HTML5 WG <public-html at w3.org>

The HTML 5 working group is questioning and debating the need for the
alt attribute on critical content. In fact, the current HTML 5
Editor's Draft allows instances where critical content is allowed to
have no alt attribute on the img element.

Alternate text is essential for accessibility. There needs to be a
markup solution to indicate whether or not the alternate text of an
image is critical to understand the content - omitting such an
important attribute is ambiguous, and doesn't help anyone. The problem
is differentiating between ignorant and intentional lack of text.

The issue is detailed at:
http://esw.w3.org/topic/HTML/IssueAltAttribute

In order for this debate to reach a satisfactory resolution, review of
this issue and advice from the PFWG and WAI on the potential
accessibility impact of omitting alt attribute for critical content in
HTML 5 would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Best Regards,

Laura L. Carlson
Steve Faulkner
Gregory J. Rosmaita
Joshue O Connor
Philip TAYLOR
Robert Burns
--
HTML WG Members

---------- End Forwarded message ----------


Laura L. Carlson