I agreeto Idea Use Only HTML Forms & Docs! Avoid Flash, PDF, Word, Excel, etc.
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Use Only HTML Forms & Docs! Avoid Flash, PDF, Word, Excel, etc.

Avoid the use of these proprietary formats which require external plugins and are usually never accessible. HTML is always the most accessible and universal format that works on all devices from Cell Phones to Kindles to iPads.

HTML is open source and does not require expensive tools like Adobe Acrobat Professional or Flash to develop.

HTML is indexable by search engines and makes it easier for the public to find the content they are looking for.

HTML forms are the only type that can be filled out by mobile devices and all assistive technologies used by people who are blind or have other disabilities.

HTML is the easiest format to make text larger and easier to view for the elderly, folks with glasses, or who just like reading large text.

This proposal will save time, money, and open the internet to all people regardless of ability!

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Submitted by paul 1 year ago

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  1. The idea was posted
    1 year ago

Comments (9)

  1. 508 Govt Professional

    Will we ever learn? WCAG 1.0 said turn Javascript off, the current Section 508 says no CSS, etc. Today these are vital for accessibility. Standards should not exclude technologies by name. Encourage incremental improvement, shame those who drag their feet, but never exclude a technology/platform/product just because it currently has limited support.

    1 year ago
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    1. paul

      Section 508 does not say you cannot use CSS.

      Of course these non-HTML documents can be made accessible and Section 508 does not limit their use but the majority of people who create non-HTML documents do not take the extra steps to make them accessible.

      PDFs require expensive software and extensive training to make accessible documents and fillable forms that work with screen readers and other AT.

      PDF forms cannot be filled out on accessible mobile devices like the iPhone or iPad.

      Word & Excel forms also have issues, cannot be filled out on mobile devices, and are not accessible with MS Office on the Mac.

      HTML works on all accessible devices/operating systems and does not require expensive software or extensive training to be made accessible. Even if a user does not make an HTML form accessible, assistive technologies like JAWS and VoiceOver will "guess" the form fields and many times is correct. This feature only works in HTML.

      Flash has not ever and will not ever be accessible on mobile devices or the Mac.

      I think it's safe to discourage these technologies by name especially Flash which is a dying technology.

      The point is that if you want to increase accessibility of Gov. websites then it will be easier and more cost effective to focus on HTML which is universally accessible and avoid technologies which are not.

      1 year ago
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    2. akirkpat

      I agree with the idea that there should be clear and robust standards, but not a practice of selecting a specific technology as the format for supporting accessibility. Any technology should be able to be used, so long as it supports accessibility. To do otherwise will limit potential innovation in the future.

      1 year ago
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  2. dcle

    HTML always arrives magically accessible and requires no expensive software or training? Wow.

    1 year ago
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    1. paul

      No but it beats a scanned PDF doc or form always on arrival. Some screen readers do "magically" make HTML forms accessible by guessing the form fields. You are correct though that no expensive software is required, even the free apps Notepad or TextEdit can be used to make accessible HTML. Training expenses vary but will always be cheaper than separate trainings for PDF, Flash, Word, Excel, etc. Any good HTML coder who knows web standards can pick up accessibility in no time. There is always free training like at http://www.WebAIM.org so yes free training and free software to make HTML accessible.

      1 year ago
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  3. Community Member

    This is a great idea with a ton of upside. And yes, tools should be excluded by name IF this kind of standard is implemented and the tools don't meet the standard.

    Why couldn't Word create clean HTML? It could, if Microsfot were forced by the government to create a compliant version, at least for government purchase and use.

    1 year ago
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  4. akirkpat

    The original comment refers to a list of formats as proprietary. PDF is an ISO standard (ISO 32000) so is open, not proprietary. Newer versions of Word and Excel are also.

    1 year ago
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  5. gosarah

    Of course this will never happen, but I'll give a nod to a beautiful dream!:) I would love it.

    1 year ago
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  6. akirkpat

    I can understand that it seems like limiting technology to just HTML seems like it would solve all of our problems with accessibility, but as is apparent from the "screen reader users cannot cast votes in this dialogue!" idea posted related to this site, accessibility is a development issue that needs to be handled correctly and is not limited to non-HTML technologies.

    1 year ago
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