Normative Outcomes

[rachaelbradley]

Deciding on what will be normative and what will be informative in WCAG 3 will be an ongoing conversation. This discussion is to see if we have agreement at the outcome level.

There is a useful pros and cons document from previous discussions.

Chairs believe, based on previous conversations, that:

• The outcome level will be normative and that
• It is likely one or more levels below the outcome level (for example tests) may also be normative.

Please indicate if you agree with this statement or disagree by using the thumbs up if you agree and the thumbs down if you disagree.

If you disagree please comment explaining your thoughts.

[detlevhfischer]

@rachaelbradley Can you add a link to the list of (draft) outcomes? This would help deliberating.

[alastc]

Hi Detlev, the list was included in the card-sort recently: Outcomes list

[jspellman]

I am fine with the outcome level being normative. I have serious concerns with normative tests. They are too difficult to update and correct.

[bruce-usab]

From the call today, I think we have to distinguish between normative and testable. WCAG 2.x has Principles and Guidelines which are normative-but-not-testable material. The Glossary and Conformance Requirements (all but two sections in 2.2) are normative and unambiguous (as humanly possible), but it would be a category error to say that they are "testable".

[GreggVan]

Principles and guidelines are not normative. Only the SC and definitions are normative.

[jspellman]

But the definitions are not testable, so I think Bruce's point is valid.

"Normative tests" is taking the WCAG2 structure in the direction that would further restrict what we could include as guidance. At least today, WCAG2 has informative tests that can be updated and corrected as needed. WCAG2 success criteria contain judgement evaluations. If we want each outcome to have normative tests, then we cannot include a great deal of the COGA needs, and indeed, we could not include a lot of current WCAG2 guidance that requires judgement, like "serves the equivalent purpose".

[rachaelbradley]

Summary 13 February 2024

5 people support the outcome level will be normative and that it is likely one or more levels below the outcome level (for example tests) may also be normative.

No one objects.