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Re: Query on heading hierarchy

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From: Karlen Communications
Date: Mar 27, 2018 11:58AM

This is getting interesting in terms of mapping out a future standard. In PDF 2 we now have the concept of both a <Document> and a <DocumentFragment> Tag.

If we were to create an international content standard, we could specify that document authors/PDF remediators use sequential Headings, but if you are bringing content together from other places, or if you are only using a fragment of a document, then the use of sequential Headings is an exception to the specification. This would provide a mechanism to let people know whether they are viewing/accessing a document or a document fragment. We would need to work with developers to be able to make the distinction clear to those using adaptive technology.

The point of <DocumentFragment> as a Tag is to provide a way for chapters or segments of publications to be tagged without starting with an <H1> Tag. However, the same designation could be used for those few and far between exceptions of skipped Headings while preserving good document design principles for training/education.

In the meantime, we could add this concept to a best practices document...but I would like to see us work toward a standard rather than guidelines/best practices. And we still need a way to designate something as either a full document or <Document>or a <DocumentFragment>.

With standards committees moving away from content provisions, we need to move our best practices into standards we can point to for legal and procurement purposes.

Thoughts?

Cheers, Karen