[SEC508] RE: [SEC508] RE: [SEC508] §1194.21(i) violation with visited/non-visited links by default?

["Barrett, Don" <Don.Barrett@ed.gov>]

I understand, but the standard doesn't say the other means have to be visible although of 
course it should be.  If the browser sets a visited link flag, it is providing another 
means of denoting which links are visited.  Don't shoot me; I'm just saying perhaps the 
standard next time should say "visible" means.

Don Barrett
Section 508 Coordinator
U.S. Department of Education
(202)-205-8245
don.barrett@ed.gov
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Korn [mailto:Peter.Korn@Sun.COM]
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2005 1:38 PM
To: Barrett, Don
Cc: sec508@trace.wisc.edu; Bailey, Bruce
Subject: Re: [SEC508] RE: [SEC508] §1194.21(i) violation with
visited/non-visited links by default?


Hi Don,

> Screen readers are very good at telling the user that a link has been visited.  If they 
>are just tracking color changes, you are right in that this may be an issue under 
>1194.21[i].  If, on the other hand, the browser is using another means to inform the 
>screen reader, or to put it another way, if the screen reader is tracking a flag or 
>other means, then it should be ok.

My §1194.21(i) concern with visited/non-visited links has nothing to do with 
screen readers, which have a variety of ways of obtaining that information. 
It is with non-AT users who have color blindness issues.


Regards,

Peter Korn
Accessibility Architect,
Sun Microsystems, Inc.

> 
> Don Barrett
> Section 508 Coordinator
> U.S. Department of Education
> (202)-205-8245
> don.barrett@ed.gov
>  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: sec508-admin@trace.wisc.edu [mailto:sec508-admin@trace.wisc.edu]On
> Behalf Of Peter Korn
> Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 10:28 PM
> To: sec508@trace.wisc.edu
> Subject: [SEC508] §1194.21(i) violation with visited/non-visited links
> by default?
> 
> 
> Greetings,
> 
> Sorry if this has come up before and been discussed...
> 
> In a conversation earlier today about §1194.21(i) "Color coding shall not be 
> used as the only means of conveying information, indicating an action, 
> prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element" the question of 
> visited/non-visited links in a web page came up.  The default 
> behavior/convention for this has been a color change of the link.  Clearly one 
> can change the default behavior (especially with CSS); but...
> 
> I did a search of the User Agent Accessibility Guidelines, and didn't see a 
> reference to the question of link color.
> 
> 
> Any thoughts?
> 
> 
> Peter Korn
> Accessibility Architect,
> Sun Microsystems, Inc.
> 
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