[wp-docs] Accessibility page on Codex (James GIll)

[Lorelle on WordPress]

On the issue of WordPress "preventing building accessible sites,"
that's not true. Accessibility is mostly reliant upon Themes and
Plugins. That must be clear, however, WordPress does not enforce
compliance with images and links which is part of the requirements for
accessibility and part of the WordPress core programming. The only
"responsibility" WordPress core can really offer, to my understanding,
is compliance within the content area. The rest is Theme and Plugin
design and programming elements to insure P.O.U.R. is met for
perceivable, operable, understanding, and robust guidelines. WordPress
can do more in the core for mobility features and browser
compatibility on the backend, but the front end is Theme and Plugin
authors' responsibility.

An accessibility expert told me one time that it would be interesting
to see a WordPress specific lawsuit over this. Would the site owner be
completely liable or would some of the onus be on WordPress and/or the
web developer(s), Theme designers, and Plugin authors for
non-compliance. I think that's a valid question that needs answering
to help protect all parties involved. Hold harmless can only go so
far, and we all know that ignorance of the laws means squat.

I hope I am not muddying the waters. I just want to make sure that
compliance with international law is considered in the article so we
can best serve our audience. This is no longer an ethical decision but
a legal one. Having followed the lawsuits of these cases over the
years closely, there is a lot of legal involved, but it boils down to
simple things that could have been done right in the first place, if
people understood these are not ethical or "right" choices but the
law.

Thanks!

Lorelle

On Fri, Nov 16, 2012 at 7:48 PM, James <james at thinkhuman.com> wrote:
> Lorelle wrote:
>> With the new US federal law on web accessibility as of March 2012 in place,
>> it is critical we explain how WordPress complies with P.O.U.R. Guidelines
>> and web standards both on the front and back ends. WordPress does not
>> adequately comply with the new US federal laws or international country
> laws
>> consistently, especially when it comes to images and links. These need
> to be
>> pointed out an the correct actions need to be encouraged.
>
> Lorelle, I'm an advocate of accessible sites and explaining things like
> Section 508 (and have been since there was a WWW), but--I'm unclear about
> how WordPress is required to "comply" with US accessibility laws or laws
> of other countries. Also, I'm not clear how WordPress currently prevents
> building accessible sites for those aiming to create them. Can you explain
> that a bit, or point me towards more information?
>
> Thanks,
> -james
>
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