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Re: programmatically determined link context (2.4.4)

for

From: Patrick H. Lauke
Date: Apr 6, 2020 4:51PM

On 06/04/2020 23:07, glen walker wrote:
[...]
> Anything beyond that is not considered programmatically determined link
> context?

Correct. The glossary is normative, and it has been worded as an
exhaustive list.

In the past, there had been a vague understanding/interpretation that
preceding headings also provided context, but at some point AGWG decided
that no, that's not the case (can't find the exact decision, which I
seem to remember may have been on WAI mailing list, but this closed
issue in github refers to it https://github.com/w3c/wcag/issues/819).

Personally, I disagree with the decision, but...that wouldn't be the
first time.

[...]

> I have a situation with the following basic DOM layout:
>
> <h3>heading</h3>
> <p>stuff</p>
> <a href="...">read more</a>
>
> I've seen people argue that the heading is "context" for the link but that
> doesn't fall into the glossary definition of context.
>
> Personally, I always recommend 2.4.9 instead of 2.4.4 so that you don't
> have to rely on figuring out what the context is, so in the case above, I'd
> put an ID on the heading then use aria-labelledby on the link to reference
> the heading.
>
> <h3 id="id1">heading</h3>
> <p>stuff</p>
> <a href="..." id="id2" aria-labelledby="id2 id1">read more</a>
>
> I wasn't sure if I was being too pedantic on the definition of context or
> if the glossary definition was just a few examples and not an exhaustive
> list. I don't like the slippery slope or nebulousness of who defines what
> "context" is. I like using what's in the glossary and if none of those 4
> contexts apply, then it fails 2.4.4.

I agree both that this is pedantic, but also that it's likely the
correct interpretation for 2.4.4 based on the restrictive normative
definition of context. (Unless, due to styling of the actual page, you
could make an argument that that link is "ambiguous to everybody".)

P
--
Patrick H. Lauke

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