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Re: Acceptable use of the HTML DL element?

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From: Simius Puer
Date: Jun 19, 2010 6:48AM

Hi Patrick

I think you have all the argument that you need right there.

*Semantics*

As with all tags, the usage of each should be semantically correct and <dl>
just isn't quite right for this purpose. The code itself isn't
"inaccessible" as such, and there *could* be instances where you could
legitimately use it e.g.

<dl>
<dt>Apple</dt>
<dd><a href="">edible<a></dd>
<dd><a href="">fruit<a></dd>
<dd><a href="">red<a></dd>
...etc
</dl>

...possibly not the clearest example, but I'm sure you get the idea that you
always need to consider the context before deciding on the correct semantic
mark-up.

It's a question of what code is "fit for purpose" rather than if it is
"accessible" in and of itself (i.e. taken out of context).

*Common expectation*

Then there is the other part of the argument that you have raised - the
common expectation. If by accepting the more popular <ul> method your
navigation is more easily recognised more easily by various tools (be those
browser add-ons, assistive technologies or whatever) then there are inherent
benefits.

*Multi-level*

A <dl> can only ever handle one sub-level of navigation. For many larger
websites this simply is not enough and the <dl> hits a barrier. Now, whilst
you can't nest <dl>s, if anyone says "but we could use a <ul> inside the
<dd>" just ponder why you aren't using nested <ul>s to begin with...the code
is simpler and the CSS for styling it will be too.

Even if multi-level navigation is not an issue for your website now it could
be in the future - any developer should take that into consideration.


I can't see why you should encounter any real push-back other than the
effort required to re-code and re-CSS the menus. The most important thing
is to get by-in to accessibility at *all* levels. Once you have that the
rest is a breeze - but if people don't understand why they are doing
something, or the benefits of it, then you will meet resistance.

Have a great weekend!