Summary of Last Call Issues/Linear Version

[Tabular version]

List of People who sent comments

• Baron, L. David
• Berners-Lee, Tim
• Chetwynd, Jonathan
• Colwell, Chetz
• Connolly, Dan
• Freed, Geoff
• Gunderson, Jon
• Hansen, Eric
• Jenkins, Phill
• Kelly, Brian
• Korn, Peter
• Loughborough, William
• Lowney, Greg
• Oskoboiny, Gerald
• Schmitz, Patrick
• Valusek, Tomas
• White, Jason
• Wolf, Misha
• ten Kate, Warner

The following is a summary of all comments raised during the last call period (27 February 1999 to 19 March 1999) for the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Each section lists raised issues, resolutions, and the versions of the reference specification.

The issue number links to the source of the issue and the text. The link that states the resolution links to the source of the resolution.

Baron, L. David

Issue 1

• Subject: Alt as tool tip
• Raised on: 2 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Remove comment
• Version: 19990226

Berners-Lee, Tim

Issue 71

• Subject: Ensure guidelines stands alone as a document
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Improved in 16 March draft. Will be finished for next draft.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 72

• Subject: Ensure author and UA responsibilities clearly marked.
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Consistent use of "Until". Reviewed all checkpoints.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 73

• Subject: Use markup appropriately
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Guideline
• Resolution: Text added to ensure this is said. Guideline 5 in 16 March draft speaks about this too.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 74

• Subject: Link semantics need clarification
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Improved in 16 March draft. Will be improved further in next draft
• Version: 19990226

Issue 75

• Subject: Use "title" as per HTML 4.0 spec. No brief descriptions
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Guideline
• Resolution: Brief descriptions removed. Statement added to use "title" in accordance with HTML 4.0. Also, more info about title provided in section on links.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 76

• Subject: Reduce STRONG and B
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Done in 16 March draft
• Version: 19990226

Issue 77

• Subject: Add checkpoint map in techniques document
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Done in 16 March draft
• Version: 19990226

Issue 78

• Subject: Ensure proper use of "content"
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Done in 16 March draft
• Version: 19990226

Issue 79

• Subject: Guideline 1: Example in rationale needs revisited
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Subsumed by 22 March proposal to merge first three guidelines
• Version: 19990226

Issue 80

• Subject: Don't use "title" for alt text with OBJECT
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Removed in 16 March draft
• Version: 19990226

Issue 81

• Subject: Checkpoint 12.5: Don't encourage improper use of markup.
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Add note to 12.5 to say that this checkpoint does not discourage proper use of tables.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 82

• Subject: Checkpoints 13.4 and 13.5 incompatible
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Checkpoints merged to resolve.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 83

• Subject: Discuss link relationships more openly.
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Will add information to two checkpoints in Guideline 15 about metadata and document collections.
• Version: 19990226

Chetwynd, Jonathan

Issue 4

• Subject: More required for non-readers
• Raised on: 2 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: No change
• Version: 19990226

Colwell, Chetz

Issue 50

• Subject: Difficulty finding topics
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Techniques document and checklist provide topic-based navigation.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 51

• Subject: Navigation between documents confusing
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: 16 March draft improves navigation clarity: links have better link text to make clear when leaving the document. Links to other sources only from references. Internal links to glosarry indicated. (Final draft will be even more solid).
• Version: 19990226

Issue 52

• Subject: Shorter URL possible?
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: W3C has conventions
• Version: 19990226

Issue 53

• Subject: Matching section numbers?
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Checkpoint map added in 16 march draft. Also, since documents organized differently, can't match up section numbers. Also, guidelines and checkpoints are numbered independently of section numbers in guidelines.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 54

• Subject: Confusing link text
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Cleared up in 16 March draft. (Minor changes still required). Links with same link text designate same target. Links to techniques clearly indicated (at the end of each checkpoint).
• Version: 19990226

Issue 55

• Subject: Add document map
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Added in 16 March draft.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 56

• Subject: Provide print version?
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Already done
• Version: 19990226

Issue 57

• Subject: Break into smaller files?
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Not worth it. Provide archive for offline use.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 58

• Subject: Too much bold text
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Eliminated overused STRONG and B
• Version: 19990226

Issue 59

• Subject: Audience of document not clear
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: First two sentences speak of "all content developers and authoring tool developers".
• Version: 19990226

Issue 60

• Subject: Priority 2 for 7.4 (table headers) since not supported yet?
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: No change. Lean towards the future. Document will note that not all features are supported in all browsers. Use of "until user agents..."
• Version: 19990226

Issue 61

• Subject: Should Checkpoint 1.1 have a similar note as in 1.6 for important images?
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Yes, but subsumed by proposal to merge guidelines 1, 2, and 3.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 62

• Subject: 11.3: Provide keyboard short-cuts to links". Does this mean for all links? If there were many links on a page this would be impossible.
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Add "for important links"
• Version: 19990226

Issue 63

• Subject: Want more information about assistive techs.
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Create separate W3C Note.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 64

• Subject: Indicate lack of support for new elements
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: For techniques document to a limited extent. However, full explanations of behavior out of scope. Send some issues to user agent WG. (e.g., how should longdesc be rendered).
• Version: 19990226

Issue 65

• Subject: Unclear use of variables in techniques examples
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Will be cleared up in next draft
• Version: 19990226

Issue 66

• Subject: Put most important examples first in a series
• Raised on: 13 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Will be cleared up in next draft
• Version: 19990226

Issue 67

• Subject: The links to the HTML 4.0 specification could indicate that they link to pages outside of the Techniques and Guidelines documents.
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Addressed in 16 March draft.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 68

• Subject: Include example for server-side image maps since higher priority.
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Technique
• Resolution: Will be added
• Version: 19990226

Issue 69

• Subject: Should the sections on 'Brief descriptions of images' (1.2 and 2.7) have associated Checkpoints?
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Technique
• Resolution: No change. Brief descriptions are being dropped.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 70

• Subject: Insufficient info for document type validation.
• Raised on: 14 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Added checkpoint for DTDs and schemas
• Version: 19990226

Connolly, Dan

Issue 10

• Subject: Is checklist part of guidelines?
• Raised on: 9 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Yes, more clear in structure now
• Version: 19990226

Issue 11

• Subject: Checkpoint against FONT?
• Raised on: 9 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: No change
• Version: 19990226

Freed, Geoff

Issue 48

• Subject: Confusing explanation of synchronized media
• Raised on: 12 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Proposed fix by Ian.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 49

• Subject: Add information about SMIL/SAMI synchronization
• Raised on: 12 March
• Nature: Technique
• Resolution: To be added to techniques document.
• Version: 19990226

Gunderson, Jon

Issue 84

• Subject: Why "title" not mentioned for images?
• Raised on: 16 March 19990316 {{ Why Guidelines 1 and 2 split?
• Nature: Guideline
• Resolution: Say nothing about "title" for images in guidelines except for images in links.
• Version: Document structure

Issue 85

• Subject: 5.7: Should be priority 1
• Raised on: 16 March 19990316 {{ Why Guidelines 1 and 2 split?
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: Leave same priority but add reference to Techniques document validation.
• Version: Document structure

Issue 86

• Subject: 7.4: How should "summary" be used?
• Raised on: 16 March 19990316 {{ Why Guidelines 1 and 2 split?
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Delete the comment.
• Version: Document structure

Issue 87

• Subject: Higher priority on grouping
• Raised on: 16 March 19990316 {{ Why Guidelines 1 and 2 split?
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Single priority 2 checkpoint for grouping.
• Version: Document structure

Hansen, Eric

Issue 47

• Subject: Guideline 16: Revised statement and rationale
• Raised on: 12 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Taken into account in 16 March draft. However, some may be subsuemd by 22 March proposal to merge guidelines 1, 2, and 3.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 5

• Subject: Conformance scope
• Raised on: 3 March
• Nature: Conformance
• Resolution: Proposal by Judy
• Version: 19990226

Issue 6

• Subject: Conformance levels
• Raised on: 3 March
• Nature: Conformance
• Resolution: A/Double-A/Triple-A
• Version: 19990226

Issue 7

• Subject: Changes to section on Validation
• Raised on: 11 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Reviewed. Two points added: get review from disabled users and use human and automatic tools to review. Also, added grammar checkers with spell checkers.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 8

• Subject: Use of term "equivalent"
• Raised on: 11 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Proposal for restructuring first three guidelines
• Version: 19990226

Jenkins, Phill

Issue 92

• Subject: 8.3: Proposed clarification
• Raised on: 20 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: WG said that such wording was acceptable.
• Version: 19990316

Issue 93

• Subject: Move front matter to back
• Raised on: 20 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Rejected since links to contents
• Version: 19990316

Kelly, Brian

Issue 88

• Subject: Accessibility design does not generally mean extra work...
• Raised on: 18 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Deleted in 16 March draft
• Version: 19990226

Issue 89

• Subject: Should element names be in all caps in light of XHTML?
• Raised on: 18 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: New conventions section to be added.
• Version: 19990226

Korn, Peter

Issue 91

• Subject: Java accessibility techniques
• Raised on: 19 March
• Nature: Technique
• Resolution: Not yet addressed since technique
• Version: 19990316

Loughborough, William

Issue 46

• Subject: Verifiability of checkpoints
• Raised on: 12 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Text: Each checkpoint is specific enough so that someone reviewing a page or site may verify that the checkpoint has been satisfied.
• Version: 19990226

Lowney, Greg

Issue 12

• Subject: Discuss browser bugs
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Document content
• Resolution: Out of scope
• Version:

Issue 13

• Subject: A.1.4: Priority
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: Priority 1 server-side, Priority 2 client-side.
• Version: 19990217

Issue 14

• Subject: A.1.5: Priority
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: New checkpoint to resolve: use client-side maps.
• Version: 19990217

Issue 15

• Subject: A.5.2: Priority of two color checkpoints
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: Higher priority for images.
• Version: 19990217

Issue 16

• Subject: A.6.1: Nested headers
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: New wording to resolve: use headers for structure
• Version: 19990217

Issue 17

• Subject: A.6.2: Nested lists
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: New wording to resolve: nest lists properly
• Version: 19990217

Issue 18

• Subject: A.6.3: Blockquote for indentation
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: Same priority
• Version: 19990217

Issue 19

• Subject: A.10.2/A.10.3: Flicker/Blinking
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Two checkpoints, Pri 1 flicker, Pri 2 blinking
• Version: 19990217

Issue 20

• Subject: B.1: Use headers for structure
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: New checkpoint for grouping information.
• Version: 19990217

Issue 21

• Subject: B.1.3: FIELDSET labels
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: New checkpoint for grouping information.
• Version: 19990217

Issue 22

• Subject: B.2.1: "title" on links
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Technique
• Resolution: Checkpoint reworded as "Clearly identify the target of each link". "title" added as technique
• Version:

Issue 23

• Subject: A.14.1: Priority of "Use latest W3C specs"
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: Priority 2 with rewording
• Version: 19990217

Issue 24

• Subject: A.14.2: Priority of "Avoid deprecated features"
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: No change (Priority 2)
• Version: 19990217

Issue 25

• Subject: B.1.5: Use OPTGROUP to group
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: New (Pri 2) checkpoint for all grouping
• Version: 19990217

Issue 26

• Subject: B.2.9: Remove class="nav"
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Technique
• Resolution: Make a technique.
• Version: 19990217

Issue 27

• Subject: A.3.3: Play automatically?
• Raised on: 8 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Sounds that play without user interaction.
• Version: 19990217

Oskoboiny, Gerald

Issue 9

• Subject: Bad list example
• Raised on: 6 March
• Nature: Technique
• Resolution: Don't abuse markup/Control with style
• Version: 19990226

Schmitz, Patrick

Issue 38

• Subject: Mention of alt text for tool tips
• Raised on: 9 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Remove comment
• Version: 19990226

Issue 39

• Subject: Discuss assitive technologies in more detail
• Raised on: 9 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Create separate W3C Note.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 40

• Subject: Discuss usage scenarios in more detail
• Raised on: 9 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Create separate W3C Note.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 41

• Subject: Emphasize use of alternative pages more
• Raised on: 9 March
• Nature: Guideline
• Resolution: WG does not want to emphasize since they aren't maintained.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 42

• Subject: 1.2: Make more specific to visual information.
• Raised on: 9 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Proposal to incorporate in more general checkpoint
• Version: 19990226

Issue 43

• Subject: Multimedia / equivalent synchronization.
• Raised on: 9 March
• Nature: Techniques
• Resolution: Discuss in section on SMIL
• Version: 19990226

Issue 44

• Subject: Latest specs incompatible with backwards compatibility
• Raised on: 9 March
• Nature: Guideline
• Resolution: Wording change
• Version: 19990226

Issue 45

• Subject: Relative units in absolute positioning?
• Raised on: 9 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: CSS explained
• Version: 19990226

Valusek, Tomas

Issue 90

• Subject: Add a checkpoint for specifying background/foreground together
• Raised on: 18 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Make this a technique
• Version: 19990226

White, Jason

Issue 2

• Subject: Need a checkpoint for DTDs
• Raised on: 2 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Add checkpoint
• Version: 19990226

Issue 3

• Subject: Avoid "whenever possible"
• Raised on: 2 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Fixed globally
• Version: 19990226

Wolf, Misha

Issue 28

• Subject: Poorly worded guideline
• Raised on: 10 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: "Clarify natural language usage"
• Version: 19990226

Issue 29

• Subject: 15.9: Offline browsing
• Raised on: 10 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Reworded in terms of document collections.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 30

• Subject: How to reference
• Raised on: 10 March
• Nature: Document structure
• Resolution: Both specific and latest references, link from pertinent checkpoint.
• Version: 19990226

ten Kate, Warner

Issue 31

• Subject: Accessibility over usability
• Raised on: 11 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Ensure text clearly states accessibility is primary goal
• Version: 19990226

Issue 32

• Subject: Language of captions
• Raised on: 11 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Added to existing language checkpoint
• Version: 19990226

Issue 33

• Subject: 5.4: Use style sheets should be Priority 1.
• Raised on: 11 March
• Nature: Priority
• Resolution: No since not using doesn't make access impossible.
• Version: 19990226

Issue 34

• Subject: Renumber sections
• Raised on: 11 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Fixed
• Version: 19990226

Issue 35

• Subject: Avoid "whenever possible"
• Raised on: 11 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: Fixed globally
• Version: 19990226

Issue 36

• Subject: Nested headers questioned
• Raised on: 11 March
• Nature: Editorial
• Resolution: New wording to resolve: use headers for structure
• Version: 19990226

Issue 37

• Subject: Color may be decorative
• Raised on: 11 March
• Nature: Checkpoint
• Resolution: Delete this note.
• Version: 19990226

Versions of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

There were two versions of the specification during the last call period. A third version is listed below because Greg Lowney reviewed that version inadvertently.

• 16 March Working Group draft
• February 26 Public draft
• February 17 Public draft