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Re: Query on heading hierarchy

for

From: Birkir R. Gunnarsson
Date: Mar 22, 2018 11:15PM

Yes, this passes the WCAG 1.3.1 requirements.
FAct is, if all that 1.3.1 is asking (which it is), that structure
reflects visual presentation, there is no guarantee the heading
structure needs to be well thought out, or even logical.
People do not pay that much attention to minute difference in visual
weight, spacing or size of heading text, they just see a heading is a
heading and often can barely tell between an h2 and an h4, and the
WCAG SC does not require the structure be any clearer to someone who
does not see the page.
That's the difference between accessibility and usability right there.
Accessibility only asks that people with disabilities do not get a
proportionately worse interface, it does not require usability to be
great and accessibility to follow.
I am not saying we shouldn't work hard to improve both when we see
issues, I thihk well structured headings that are clearly formatted
are not a usability fix, but we have to realize where we can claim
something is an accessibility violation whereas things that are
usability recommendations that benefit all users.
There are situations where skipping a heading level is logical and
accurately describes the structure of the content. That is up to each
and everyone of us accessibility experts to decide and I see no reason
to argue about it.



On 3/23/18, Vemaarapu Venkatesh < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
> Hi,
>
> For my quick understanding let me consider this heading structure.
> Countries(h1)
> State1(h2)
> City(h3)
> State2(h2)
> City(h3)
> This naturally seems to be well structured and can find no issues if visual
> appearance of headings matches with screen reader announcement of headings
> also.
> Now if the structure is like
> Countries(h1)
> State1(h2)
> City(h2)
> State2(h2)
> City(h2)
> Assume these are h2's visually also and screen reader speaks out the same.
> Obviously it's a bad structure but screen reader conveys the same visual
> formatting as they are real h2's.
> Can I understand this context passes SC1.3.1. Am I getting the things right?
>
> Regards,
> Venkatesh
> > > > >


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