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Accessible Authoring Tool

for

From: Langum, Michael J
Date: Oct 26, 2010 1:06PM

The Draft for the New Section 508 standards includes:
413.2 Authoring Tools. For all formats supported by the authoring tool, authoring tools shall provide a mode of operation to create or modify content that conforms to Chapter 5 (Electronic Documents). [emphasis added]
I'm wondering what this implies for web 2.0 apps where content will be created by folks who do not know accessibility requirements.

Can we (those ruled by sect. 508) accept end-user generated content that is not "accessible?"

If not, will we need to ensure a "508 clearance" process, before publication?

Assuming that we must ensure that user-generated content is accessible, Is anyone aware of browser text input control, that supports or ensures accessibility standards. That is, on submit, does a quick check of the input, and prompts the user for corrections or needed additional information.. E.g.

* if I create a table, the control will catch this, and make sure that I have row and column heads identified,
* if I add an image, the control will catch this and prompt me for an alternative text?


-- Mike