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Re: APA/MLA style formatting versus WCAG guidelines

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From: Kevin Prince
Date: Sep 18, 2019 4:11PM

APA is a work of the devil designed purely to make referencing much more complex than it need be but if you want your work to pass the APA zealots then it probably wins in a practical sense. I've not noticed academia particularly open to change in such matters sadly and, as a sighted person, found it hard to use let alone via screenreader or magnification.

I would expect any institution that actually followed its own inclusive statements to demand change but I won't hold my breath.

I wonder whether a print style sheet that reproduces APA yet allows for the electronic version to follow WCAG would be possible. If you insist on APA print the doc or set your preferences to reproduce it electronically: if it gets in the way of comprehension then override

K
Access1in5
0212220638
Independent Accessibility and IT Consultancy.




> On 19/09/2019, at 09:24, L Snider < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> Hi Laurie,
>
> Interesting timing, since I am writing a journal article on this topic!
>
> In my view, APA (I work with that one the most) is inaccessible for many
> reasons, but it is required in most academic contexts that I know of, so in
> my experience it wins out over accessibility, whether it fits with WCAG or
> not.
>
> I would be curious to know how your situation works out, and if others have
> been able to override it, or change it.
>
> Cheers
>
> Lisa
>
> On Wed, Sep 18, 2019 at 5:52 PM Laurie Kamrowski < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
>> Hi! I am wondering when APA style requirements clash with WCAG 2.0
>> standards and practices, which should take precedence? I know that the WCAG
>> 2.0. The two circumstances in particular are with Italics (not prohibited
>> by the WCAG guidelines but is known to trigger dyslexic episodes) and with
>> underlined text (the WCAG recommends against the usage of underline in
>> electronic formats unless it is identifying a hyperlink).
>>
>> Laurie Kamrowski
>>
>> She/Her/Hers
>> Accessibility Specialist
>> Mid Michigan College
>> >> >> >> >>
> > > >