Part of Item:
Comment Type: TE
Comment (including rationale for proposed change):
Web authors can easily conform to this success criteria by simply providing a descriptive text label for non-text content. By providing the option to define only the purpose of the non-text content, we are giving the developer the option of ignoring accessibility.
Proposed Change:
Thank you for your comment. The only times it is acceptable to simply identify the purpose of the non text content are described by the situations listed in the revised criterion. For example, for a Webcam at a ski resort, the Web site might offer information on the snowfall amount for the last 24 hours, but the Webcam allows users who can see to actually see what the weather is at that moment in time. Because the Webcam is live video-only, a text alternative cannot provide equivalent information and so a descriptive text label is sufficient. We have modified 1.1.1 as follows:
1.1.1 Non-text Content: All non-text content has a text alternative that presents equivalent information, except for the situations listed below.
* Controls-Input: If non-text content is a control or accepts user input, then it has a name that describes its purpose. (See also Guideline 4.1 Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies )
* Media, Test, Sensory: If non-text content is multimedia , live audio-only or live video-only content, a test or exercise that must be presented in non-text format , or primarily intended to create a specific sensory experience , then text alternatives at least identify the non-text content with a descriptive text label. (For multimedia, see also Guideline 1.2 Provide synchronized alternatives for multimedia .)
* CAPTCHA: If the purpose of non-text content is to confirm that content is being accessed by a person rather than a computer, then text alternatives that identify and describe the purpose of the non-text content are provided and alternative forms in different modalities are provided to accommodate different disabilities.
* Decoration, Formatting, Invisible: If non-text content is pure decoration, or used only for visual formatting, or if it is not presented to users, then it is implemented such that it can be ignored by assistive technology.