[thelist] WAI Content Guideline Checkpoint 3.1

[Zachary Mutrux]

I have come to the conclusion that the answer to my question is "yes, in
order to achieve Conformance Level 'Double-A,' one may not use text images
in a Web site.

Martin said of checkpoint 3.1,

> Ah, but 'appropriate' is an interpretable standard.

The WAI provides a specific example that seems pretty clear:

<http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/#gl-structure-presentation>
"...avoid using images to represent text -- use text and style sheets
instead. Refer also to guideline 6 and guideline 11."

> Given checkpoint 1.1... it  would seem that images of text can be OK if
> handled appropriately with alt (etc).

I would have agreed with you a couple of days ago, but after more reading I
realized 1.1 is a Priority 1 checkpoint, describing what one must do in
order to meet the minimally acceptable standards for accessibility as
identified by this Recommendation. In order to gain Conformance Level
"Double-A," one must go a step further--and not use text images at all.

I agree that it seems like ALT text should be enough, but it's not,
according to the current Recommendation.

Thanks all,

zm

--
Zachary Mutrux, IT Generalist, National Service Resource Center
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