Damian wrote: (Essentially, a big equation can be broken down into component parts. This can make it easier for blind users to read the equation and for sighted users to understand the equation. The equation is the same, it is just constructed in a more accessible form.)
>It is accessible (except that for visual browsers it will only work >on modern browsers) in that it can be interpreted by screen readers. It is not accessible until you realign the original material so that it is not constructed purely for the visual register. Grant replies: Well, no. MathML by its nature is not purely for the visual register. And no - we should not have to realign a complex formula if the materials merit it because what we are doing then is making the content less accessible/comprehensible for many people to allow it to be equally accessible to all. If breaking the formula up into little chunks makes comprehension harder for the vast majority of people then we should not do it and I do not agree with your assertion that breaking a complex formula will make it more understandable - it may in fact undermine the learning. In most learning materials complexity builds throughout the learning. We should be very wary of dumbing down content in the name of accessibility. Accessibility is a continuum not an absolute and we often have to make judgement calls that balance the interests of one group of people against another. Equally accessible doesn't exist. As accessible as possible is a fine aim. Grant Focas ********************************************************************** This message is intended for the addressee named and may contain privileged information or confidential information or both. If you are not the intended recipient please delete it and notify the sender. ********************************************************************** ****************************************************** The discussion list for http://webstandardsgroup.org/ See http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm for some hints on posting to the list & getting help ******************************************************
