<...>
Since the <hr /> *is* a page element, it is announced and rendered as such - it is a Horizontal Rule - or break, in just about every user-agent known to mankind; it is one of the most basic of HTML constructs. There is a reason *why* you as a page author/content creator wants that "line/division/break" on screen - I mean it's not just there on a whim is it?
Thats my point: there must be the reason for such separation and I don't think that "Horizontal Rule" be it visual or aural.
And so, ensuring that the "intent" carries through to alternative user-agents is a goal of Universal Accessibility. We have the HTML "tool" to do this - the <hr /> - yes, it's ugly, yes' it's limiting, but, yes, it has more *meaning* than <img src="linebreak.gif" alt="" />.
Ok, let's take <img src="linebreak.gif" alt="Horizontal rule" />. In visual media it will be horizontal rule, aural browser will announce it as "image: horizontal rule". Is it any worse than just "Horizontal rule"?
If inserting a meaningful Heading at that point in you content is appropriate, then this is good (but why would you hide it from some, and not others? Would not the meaningful header also be of aid/assistance to those with cognitive load issues, those with lower comprehension or literacy skills - perhaps ESL?).
Exactly. If separation is indeed that meaningful why not to use something more meaningful to announce it?
However, again, I will ask: if you are using the image to convey *any* kind of meaning what-so-ever, how are you conveying this meaning to alternative user-agents. It also means you must ask yourself if there *is* a meaning to the break image (I submit that there probably is) or is it really just eye-candy.
<...> I still see HR as eye-candy or ear-candy. Ok, let's say you are reading the book for someone, and encounter the separator. What would you do? Say "three stars follow", "horizontal line follows", or just make a longer pause? So, if following section deserves own header - give it, if not - render longer pause in aural version, and some eye candy for visual media with CSS. If aural browser does not support pause-before properly: too bad. <...> Regards, Rimantas -- http://rimantas.com/ ******************************************************************* List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *******************************************************************
