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Re: Browse Aloud

for

From: Patrick H. Lauke
Date: Apr 16, 2010 6:39AM

On 16/04/2010 12:23, Geof Collis wrote:
> Can anyone clarify if Browse Aloud or other programs like it are a
> part of the WCAG and if so exactly where is it mentioned?

Nope, they're not...or, to clarify your question a bit more with the
answer: WCAG does not, in its normative text, make any reference to
additional tools like BrowseAloud or other self-voicing website
feautres. In the (strictly *informative*) techniques document, there is
one technique relating to this sort of thing

G79: Providing a spoken version of the text
http://www.w3.org/TR/2008/NOTE-WCAG20-TECHS-20081211/G79

This technique relates to SC 3.1.5 Reading Level
http://www.w3.org/TR/2008/REC-WCAG20-20081211/#meaning-supplements

And remember, it's not mandatory, and it's not the *only* way of
addressing the success criterion. There are other sufficient techniques
mentioned (and there may be even more techniques that aren't
mentioned...such is the nature of the informative techniques doc)
http://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG20/quickref/#qr-meaning-supplements

As an aside: I know that, particularly BrowseAloud, has in the past made
spurious marketing claims to that effect, and also said things like
"PAS78 recommends you use BrowseAloud" etc (in reference to the old
guidance from the British Standards Institute on commissioning
accessible websites).


--
Patrick H. Lauke