Meeting began with introduction of EO members to new staff Bim, who will be working with Shadi on the WAI-ACT project. Discussion moved to the possibility of an EO face to face meeting at CSUN in San Diego in late February.
Consideration was given to the Accessibility Basics Summary, developed for inclusion in Web Platform Docs, where it has been given prominence as one of six central topics on the main page. The group did a bit of wordsmithing and had some suggestions. Shawn will take another editing pass at the summary.
Vicki gave the group an update on the work she and Ian have done on the Evaluation in Process or Address Accessibility Early materials. She reported that they felt they had gotten bogged down in too much detail and had stepped back to provide a higher level view with the idea to link to existing WAI materials. While most supported this idea, concerns were expressed about keeping referenced materials current. Bim remarked that would be part of her job, to solve just those kinds of problems and ensure that documents remained living. In addiiton to evaluation during the development process, the group urged consideration of design as well. Wayne cautioned that implementatin was where most mistakes were made and people needed help. Vicki asked for group input of the work in pprogress and especially a notice if anything was overlooked. Several group members, including Wayne, Suzette and Sharron agreed to review and comment this week after Ian posts his updates.
Work on the Preliminary Evaluation page of the wiki was reviewed. Based on the criteria we agreed to for the list of quick checks, items were identified for inclusion, omission, or combination with others. Sharron agreed to make the changes to the wiki with a few items still undecided.
Finally, Shawn reminded the group to update availability and complete action items, including the group action items at the top of the page.
All: Jennifer, Sharron, Anna-Belle, Shawn, Suzette, Wayne, Vicki introduced selves to Bim, new staff working on WAI-ACT particularly on Application Notes.
Jennifer: Will consideration be made about linking application notes to existing materials?
Shawn: Yes, and have talked to
Chris Mills about the relationship to WebEd work as well.
... rather Web Platform Docs
Shawn: Want to mention a plan for
meeting for a Face-to-Face at CSUN. Wayne has arranged for a
room at Cal State U atSan Diego
... how far is it?
Wayne: It is in La Jolla, about 20 minutes away by car. And it is not called the Jewel for nothing, it is beautiful.
Shawn: Will check into a meeting room at the hotel as an alternative.
Anna-Belle: There is no
information about the hotel rate and conference registration
fees.
... need content of presentations as well as cost for justification at work for attending the conference.
Sharron: Can look at last year's schedule.
<Wayne> The room for an EO F2F will be at the University of California, San Diego Student Union. $60 for a day, I will pay because my travel cost is to San Diego is just $30.
Shawn: Our Face-to-Face has no associated costs
Bim: What are the dates for CSUN?
Anna-Belle: Feb 25-March 2
Shawn: First two days are
pre-conference tutorials, followed by 3 days of
conference.
... and we are thinking of doing a WAI-IG meet-up as well
during CSUN
... and in terms of the hotel, we used to get a car and stay at
less expensive nearby hotel.
Wayne: I will do some research on hotel alternatives.
<scribe> ACTION: Wayne to research alternatives for hotel costs in San Diego [recorded in http://www.w3.org/2012/12/07-eo-minutes.html#action01]
<trackbot> Created ACTION-249 - Research alternatives for hotel costs in San Diego [on Wayne Dick - due 2012-12-14].
<shawn> http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/wiki/Basics_with_Notes#Summary
Shawn: We worked on this for
inclusion in the Web Platform Docs.
... it is very prominent there, one of the major six categories
on the main page - good work, all.
... someone added a summary that we should consider and
revise.
<shawn> draft: Accessibility is making the Web work for people with a diverse range of abilities. Accessibility is essential for developers and organizations that want to create high quality websites and web tools, and not exclude people from using their products and services. Accessibility is vital to enable people with disabilities to participate equally on the Web. It is a legal requirement in some cases, and a best practice in all cases.
Shawn: Comments?
... Jennifer and Vicki noticed that each sentence starts with
"Accessibility is..." May be redundant.
Jennifer: I wondered if we wanted to start as "Accessibility is" followed by bullet points.
Vicki: Or merge first two sentences.
Wayne: You should end the first sentence after "...and web tools" Period.
Anna-Belle: I had exactly the same thought.
Wayne: In my class there was no way to get an A without including accessibility.
Shawn: Is it important to include the inclusion idea somewhere?
Wayne: Yes, but in another, independent sentence. An important thought but needs to stand alone.
<scribe> ACTION: Shawn to edit Web Accessibility Summary for Web Platform Docs. [recorded in http://www.w3.org/2012/12/07-eo-minutes.html#action02]
<trackbot> Created ACTION-250 - Edit Web Accessibility Summary for Web Platform Docs. [on Shawn Henry - due 2012-12-14].
<shawn> http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/wiki/Eval_in_process
Shawn: Considering a new document, have not finalized scope and title yet
<shawn> Current realted WAI info: http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/wiki/Eval_in_process#Current_related_WAI_information
Shawn: With WCAG-EM the formal
evaluation methodology focuses on evaluating web projects that
are existing or complete. Needed another consideration of how
to make accessibility considerations at other stages.
... we have many references to this subject distributed
throughout existing WAI materials.
... Let's go through and look at document overall and come back
to this. Vicki, can you introduce what we have here, different
approaches, etc?
Vicki: Ian and I began and got
tangled in details, specifics about how to guide people
through. We have stepped back and made it more high level and
role oriented.
... now it is more of a high level document that links out to
existing WAI materials. This is what we need to decide on
approach. To make this longer and self-contained, or link out
to other materials?
Sharron: I am in favor of not duplicating materials as much possible. To point people to work we've already done and vetted and then create a good clear path to existing materials
Jennifer: +1
Vicki: And I have looked at existing materials and they are really good, quite useful.
Shawn: Ian's edits are focused on development and we will have them to consider soon. What is your overall response to this? Is it about the right level of information? Tone?
Anna-Belle: I don't feel grounded in where this fits with other materials so it is a bit hard for me to assess.
Shawn: Imagine a high level web manager has been told to do accessibility. They read a basic intro to Accessibility and then this may be the second document they come to in understanding how to integrate accessibility into web projects.
Anna-Belle: Thanks that's helpful.
Shawn: Anyone else?
Wayne: It really does look like it covers a unique and important level. A needed piece of work.
Jennifer: Thinking about the fact that even though it went on hold, can we pull from the Roles and Responsibilities document that Denis was working on? Seems relevant. He made a really good start and it fits really well.
Vicki: We point to it and Ian is referencing it more specifically
Shawn: Not sure if we can point to it yet...
Sharron: But Ian has been pulling from the concepts
Jennifer: So we can maximize the concepts in any case.
Shawn: Denis has been swamped but looking to rejoin soon and can take it up again.
Sharron: Last time I worked on it with him, it was not quite stable, we should review before suggesting to point to it.
<shawn> <http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/wiki/Eval_in_process#Open_issues>
Shawn: So for now let's look at
open comments in the wiki.
... any concerns or questions or objections to creating the new
document as these comments support?
All: No objections, agreed
Shawn: So consider the scope - originally thought about concerns during development process but have evolved to considerations even before development begins, broader concept of when to address accessibility.
<Wayne> I support new document with clear separation between planning and evaluation
Shawn: are there any concerns against broadening the scope as suggested here?
Wayne: I support broadening the scope but would encourage a strong and clear separation of the difference between planning and execution or development.
Sharron: Where would you put design concepts, the overlap is often not that clearly separate.
Wayne: Once in the phase where people are laying code, they need a way to check what you are doing to be sure you are on the right track, especially design flaws that may not be apparent until developers begin to lay code.
Vicki: I beleive Ian will cover that part in his discussion of coding and the process of evaluating for accessiiblity is iterative through out
Suzette: One of the things that makes this document quite different is the consideration of the design side and the planning phases. It is important that this document include that emphasis and not go too deeply into development at the expense of design.
<scribe> ACTION: Sharron to consider adding information to <http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/wiki/Eval_in_process#Design_Stage> specifc to that. [recorded in http://www.w3.org/2012/12/07-eo-minutes.html#action03]
<trackbot> Created ACTION-251 - Consider adding information to <http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/wiki/Eval_in_process#Design_Stage> specifc to that. [on Sharron Rush - due 2012-12-14].
Wayne: When I was trying to actually implement accessibility into campus projects, it was the implementation skills that were missing and that we had to invent.
Shawn: Is this document itself going to provide all that detail? or is this document going to provide an overview for all and point elsewhere for the details.
Wayne: I agree that we should point to the detail in a place that is easily addressed and found. Otherwise the people who are actually handed the task of making accessible pages won't have the tools they need to succeed.
Shawn: WCAG-EM does not provide
those details, not is it meant to. Prelim Eval does to some
extent, but where do we want to put that level of detail?
... is it something we want to provide?
Jennifer: The Web Platform Docs
has traction right now. So anything that can be included there,
should be. People spend weekends working on this. Need to think
of how to include accessibility in their sprints.
... don't see that more documents from EO will be as effective
as including accessibility information there.
Shawn: Our goal is to be the guides as people add accessiiblity information through out the Web Platform Docs.
Wayne: As we think and advise
about Preliminary development and design matters, people on the
line need a way to understand as they develop that they are in
fact meeting these goals.
... are our accessibility plans working? incremental testing
that we can provide so people can produce quality.
Shawn: Can you send an email to Ian ?
<scribe> ACTION: Wayne to send email to Ian about development needs of incremental testing for accessibility. [recorded in http://www.w3.org/2012/12/07-eo-minutes.html#action04]
<trackbot> Created ACTION-252 - Send email to Ian about development needs of incremental testing for accessibility. [on Wayne Dick - due 2012-12-14].
All: Our mantra - Accessibility is FUN!
Shawn: Next question is how long and how detailed should it be?
Sharron: I think it is important to keep this document streamlined and to point out according to roles. However, we have to then consider the accuracy and current validity of the docs we point to.
Bim: Part of my role at WAI-ACT is to make these living documents either through wikis or someway for them to be kept up to date.
Shawn: When we find old pages, we
are updating with a note at the top that points to newer
versions or more timely information.
... that is one of the issues, Wayne with providing the details
in EO is to share the responsibility for keeping it current
with the community.
Wayne: An example is a discussion
of the fact that there may be more than one way to test items,
like the discussion last week about various ways to test
color.
... developers will understand the difference between a run
time tool and a semantic tool, so can keep the discussion
generic while providing specifics.
Shawn: Vicki do you have any other needs from the group?
Vicki: I would like specific feedback about what is already there, what might be overlooked. My approach now is to keep this as short as possible and point out to other useful detail. The part that Ian is still to put in will be very very important about the developer implementation.
<Bim> I will
Wayne: I was concerned that implementation seemed to be not sufficiently addressed, I am glad to learn more about Ian's work and will keep an eye on it.
Sharron: I will
Shawn: Comments can go into the wiki page or send email to EO list.
Suzette: I will review
Shawn: Can we brainstorm the title?
<shawn> http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/wiki/Eval_in_process#Title_ideas
Shawn: While you review, make comments on title and if we want a survey we will revisit next week. Add your name to acknowledgments.
Shawn: Last week we talked about
the criteria for which checks to include in short checks and
which might be posted to a wiki for more thorough explanation.
I went through and added our first impression of what to
include in the 15 minute check.
... first thing to do might be ot look at what we have, is it
still too many, looking good, or what?
... then for each check, how much explanation do we want to
have about who it's for, why you do it, etc vs how much we want
to just do the mechanics of the check and point elsewhere for
the rationale.
... and look at the title
Sharron: I would like to make some decisions about what to take out and then just take them out.
<Vicki> +1
<shawn> +1
<annabelle> +1
Shawn: Can go through and move to
an archive page.
... Descriptions for images - stays in
... Headings, yes
... Keyboard access, would probably include visible focus, and
content order
... yes
... proposal is to move these three together
<scribe> ACTION: Sharron to combine Keyboard access, focus, content order and group them. [recorded in http://www.w3.org/2012/12/07-eo-minutes.html#action05]
<trackbot> Created ACTION-253 - Combine Keyboard access, focus, content order and group them. [on Sharron Rush - due 2012-12-14].
Shawn: Check page title is a probably...does it need more write up?
Sharron: It is an easy thing to check, should leave in
Suzette: But the browser is an
issue
... may not go through every browser and might be noted.
Shawn: Link text, now is maybe not
Sharron: Let's move it out.
Suzette: Links are so fundamental, is there some part of that that we could include?
Vicki: Quite important that links are meaningful
Shawn: You can get false
negatives on this one. If we have a Quick Check people may fail
something that in fact passes because of context.
... we have too much here and we need to cut in order to keep
this a short list that gets people started.
Wayne: Then it won't really be meeting the need, which is for developers to understand the real issues and how they can be tested and if there pages are ready to go to the next development stage.
Sharron: Well, but we decided that this was to be quick checks for accessibility, not necessarily a fully technical guide. ... what can I do in 15 minutes. Then to point to more detailed development material elsewhere - maybe on Web Platform Docs
Shawn: So we are not saying that this is not an important issue..I would really like to see the other quick checks Jennifer and Wayne that you have seen and mentioned.
Jennifer: We don't want to add a check that would be misinterpreted or misunderstood by non technical people
<scribe> ACTION: Jennifer to send Quick Check list to EO [recorded in http://www.w3.org/2012/12/07-eo-minutes.html#action06]
<trackbot> Created ACTION-254 - Send Quick Check list to EO [on Jennifer Sutton - due 2012-12-14].
Bim: I would rather see Page Titles dropped and link text included
<shawn> Reminder Criteria for checks <http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/wiki/Eval_Analysis#Criteria_for_checks>
Sharron: My experience is that every page in a site often is given the same name.
<shawn> Common accessibility barriers (what we see often as mistakes in web pages)
<shawn> Easy to understand
<shawn> Not complicated issues (not if lots of debate on forums)
<shawn> Pass-fail not complex; Not likely to give false positive or false negative
<shawn> Checks that clearly related to specific WCAG success criteria
<Wayne> Link text and Titles have the same issue - Missleading Text
Shawn: We are looking for things that are relatively non controversial, that pass/fail is relatively noncomplex, not likely to give fals results, and finally that they are clearly related to WCAG SCs
<Bim> OK, in that context, ignore me please.
Wayne: Perhaps an item called MisLeading text, where all pages have same title and/or link text that give false impression
<Vicki> +1
Sharron: I would be willing to take a pass about using the misleading text idea as a caution, not a definitive pass/fail on this issue
Shawn: We drafted initially as The Things You Check. May end up oing it more as an actual process document. Base it on what you actually do rather than what you are checking.
<Vicki> +1
Shawn: Have NOs for More Robust
and Color coding, shape coding
... Forms which we will talk about next week
<Vicki> +1
Shawn: next is tables which Ian
is drafting (probably not)
... and the rest of these on the page we had said probably
not.
Wayne: Incremental Analysis is what it is
Suzette: My students found that sometimes the auto tools passed everything, but when you validated, it did not pass.
<shawn> that is, because the site didn't validate, the tool didn't parse it
Suzette: the validation errors cause the tool to return false info one way or another.
Shawn: Sharron, move the archived
work into the existing archive or start new one as you
prefer.
... Yes, to Bim we spoke about human language.
Shawn: only one more meeting in 2012, please stay current with tasks and assignments.