Thread Subject: Purging multimedia

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From: Andrew Kirkpatrick
Date: Tue, Aug 21 2007 8:40 PM

We don't define multimedia. We either need to or we need to remove the
term altogether. I prefer the latter. Here's what is involved (less
than you might think):

3-C - Non-text content
Non-text Content: All non-text content must have a text alternative that
presents equivalent information, except for the situations listed below.

* Controls-Input: If non-text content is a control or accepts user
input, then it must have a name that describes its purpose. (See also
User Interface Components provisions)
* Media: If non-text content is multimedia, live audio-only or
live video-only content, then text alternatives at least identify the
non-text content with a descriptive text label. (For multimedia, see
also Audio and/or Video provisions)
(change this one to "Media: If non-text content contains audio
or video, the text alternatives at least identify the non-text content
with a descriptive text label. (For content where synchronization
between audio or video content and other elements is required to
understand the meaning, see also the Audio and/or video provisions)
This same phrase would apply for the next two bullets also.
* Test: If non-text content is a test or exercise that must be
presented in non-text format, then text alternatives at least identify
the non-text content with a descriptive text label. (For multimedia, see
also Audio and/or Video provisions)
* Sensory: If non-text content is primarily intended to create a
specific sensory experience, then text alternatives at least identify
the non-text content with a descriptive text label. (For multimedia, see
also Audio and/or Video provisions)

6-A - Synchronized Alternatives
Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation must be
synchronized with the presentation.

This can be changed to "Equivalent alternatives for any audio or video
contained in a presentation must be synchronized with the audio or video
elements." It is after all, the audio or video that is being used as a
reference for the synch, and the alternatives are for the audio or the
video, not the presentation as a whole.


6-E - Interactive Elements
All "multimedia" containing interactive elements, such as menus for
selection and access to segments of the content, that are part of the
content must include verbal equivalents for menu selections.

I don't know when this got into the document in this form, but it is
confusing to me why this is here. This section is talking about audio
and video equivalents. We don't define multimedia and this standard
will really cause trouble when it comes to evaluating products that meet
the apparent criteria - for example, if I have a flash based application
that includes video with audio and has an interactive interface to
select different video clips, does this standard apply? Does it cover
anything that isn't covered by the software standards? This one should
be removed and replaced with a note that indicates that things like DVDs
with menu systems need to adhere to other standards besides the a/v
standards.

8.1-B - Multimedia (Format)
When a content format supports multimedia, an encoding mechanism must be
provided to include synchronized text of verbal content, and audio
descriptions of critical nonverbal activity displayable by a user-agent.
Change to "When a content format supports audio or video, an encoding
mechanism must be provided to include synchronized text of verbal
content, and video descriptions of critical nonverbal activity
displayable by a user-agent." The seciton name will need to be changed
to "8.1-B - Audio and Video Elements"


As an alternative suggestion, we could define a new term "synchronized
media": "Refers to audio or video displayed at the same time as other
time-based content which is required for the understanding of the
complete presentation. The other content that the audio or video is
synchronized with to meet this definition does not include equivalents
such as captions, subtitles, or video description."

As a third alternative, we could accept the WCAG's definition of
"multimedia", which basically says that for the purposes of the WCAG
document, multimedia is audio or video that is synchronized with other
content is multimedia. It is a little odd since it is just co-opting a
very broad but familiar term to mean something that is a small portion
of what many people believe the term to mean. I think that this is the
least appealing option and we should choose to remove multimedia
altogether or define "synchronized equivalents".

Thanks,
AWK




Andrew Kirkpatrick

Corporate Accessibility Engineering Manager

Adobe Systems

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