EWG:Draft Oct 26 User Preferences

3-D - User Preferences

This page is the text proposed in the Nov Plenary Meeting.

Go to the Oct 26 Draft of this Provision

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Proposed text in Oct 26 draft:
Applications must provide a mode that utilizes platform settings for color, contrast, font type, font size, and focus cursor. In the absence of platform settings for color and contrast, all text (and images of text) must have a contrast ratio of at least 5:1 except for unavailable items or pure decoration. Large scale text (or images of large scale text) must allow a contrast ratio of at least 3:1.

• Note: Application software that is is also a platform would need to expose the underlying platform's color, contrast, and other individual display settings to applications running within its platform, so that these applications can meet the User Preferences provision.

Rationale: In the current 508 provision, the phrases "shall not override" and "other display attributes" are vague and raise testability issues. The reworded provision clarifies that the application should utilize a definitive list of display settings. The reworded provision also requires a minimum contrast for scenarios where the platform does not provide color and contrast settings. This is needed so that users requiring good contrast will be provided with at least a 5:1 contrast ratio in the software user interface. The contrast requirements are harmonized with WCAG 2.0 and with 3-B Contrast.

Comments from Allen H
Suggest add definition for "unavailable items" Unavailable items are interface elements which can not be selected, or interacted with accept as read-only items on screen due to application state or other reasons.

Comments from ITAA
Vendors find this provision is unclear. Is this a requirement on the platform, the application, or the content, or all, or some?