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WCAG 2 and PDF Techniques

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From: Jennifer Sutton
Date: Jun 28, 2013 5:13PM

Hello:

I'm changing the subject line from the specific discussion of alt
attributes on images; however, I'll include a portion of a message
from that WebAIM thread, below, along with a comment and reference.

At 01:03 PM 6/28/2013, Chagnon | PubCom wrote:


>RE: long descriptions in PDFs, this question has been asked a few times on
>this list and never, in my opinion, satisfactorily answered.
>
>WCAG doesn't acknowledge that PDFs exist. <grin>


I respond:

I don't understand this response in light of this document. I wish I
could grin, but I'm left feeling a bit concerned:

PDF Techniques | Techniques for WCAG 2.0
http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/WCAG20-TECHS/pdf.html


Perhaps this section:


PDF1: Applying text alternatives to images with the Alt entry in PDF documents

[which can be found at an h2] might prove useful.


Maybe people on this list have issues with the document, in which
case, I hope they post them appropriately to the Working Group
(rather than to this list), so that issues can be addressed.

But to say that WCAG doesn't acknowledge that PDF exists seems
somewhat misleading, at least to me. Yes, the status portion of the
"Techniques for WCAG 2.0" document reads, in part:
"This document has no formal standing within W3C."
http://www.w3.org/WAI/GL/2013/WD-WCAG20-TECHS-20130314/#status

But a lack of formal standing doesn't imply, at least to me, a lack
of acknowledgement that a particular document-type exists.

I hope those who may be unaware of these techniques may find them
helpful and that those who may have additions/updates to suggest will
connect, via the Working Group, with those who maintain this document.

Best,
Jennifer