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Re: Empty <P> Tags For Spacing

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From: chagnon@pubcom.com
Date: Feb 11, 2022 4:31PM

David, your concern about visual spacing needs for sighted users is correct.

But we do that by programming extra white space with the styles in document programs (like Word) and with CSS in HTML. No need for a blank hard return when styles are used.
Faster and easier to format the document and more fully accessible across all media technologies, including assistive tech.

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-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of David Engebretson Jr.
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2022 12:09 AM
To: 'WebAIM Discussion List' < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Empty <P> Tags For Spacing

Curious but aren't the <hr> and <br> semantic elements a good use case for providing visual separation? Empty elements such as <p> seem like a work around bred out of ignorance of WCAG compliant semantic design, in my humble opinion.

I'm not blessed with physical sight anymore but I certainly respect the needs of visually oriented people. Aren't there WCAG guidelines defining how to provide fully WCAG compliant digital documents without using empty elements?

Thanks,
David