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Short Note on HTML conformance checking
August 10, 2015 By
When you check a HTML document, using the W3C HTML conformance checker, to find out whether its code conforms to the rules defined in the HTML specification (and other referenced specifications). It’s useful to understand what the output means.
Errors
Errors are instances where the code you are checking does not conform to MUST level requirements defined in the HTML specification.
1. MUST This word, or the terms "REQUIRED" or "SHALL", mean that the definition is an absolute requirement of the specification. 2. MUST NOT This phrase, or the phrase "SHALL NOT", mean that the definition is an absolute prohibition of the specification.
For example, the following code snippet breaks the rule:
Content model for element
ol: Zero or moreliand script-supporting elements.
<body> <ol> <div></div> </ol> </body>
In other words, an ol element msut only contain li, script or template elements as child elements.
<body> <ol> <template></script> <script></script> <li><div></div></li> </ol> </body>
MUST level requirements and the errors they produce are there to stop you doing stuff that can cause problems or remind you to do stuff that you need to do to avoid problems.
Warnings
Warnings are instances where the code you are checking does not conform to SHOULD level requirements defined in the HTML specification.
3. SHOULD This word, or the adjective "RECOMMENDED", mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances to ignore a particular item, but the full implications must be understood and carefully weighed before choosing a different course. 4. SHOULD NOT This phrase, or the phrase "NOT RECOMMENDED" mean that there may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances when the particular behavior is acceptable or even useful, but the full implications should be understood and the case carefully weighed before implementing any behavior described with this label.
For example, the following code snippet breaks the rule:
Default Implicit ARIA semantics – SHOULD NOT be used
<body> <ol role="list"> <li>item 1 </ol> </body>
In other words, ol has a an implicit role of list, which is conveyed by browsers automatically, so there is no neeed to add the explicit role as an attribute.
<body> <ol> <li>list item </ol> </body>
SHOULD level requirements and the warnings they produce are there to stop you doing stuff that is unecessary or harmful in general or as a reminder to do stuff that it is useful or helpful to do, in general.
Where do these requirement terms come from?
An ancient (1997) text handed down by our ancestors: Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate Requirement Levels. Which you will find referenced by many (all?) W3C specifications that define what are known as normative requirements. Requirements are defined in HTML, for user agent implementers, conformance tool implementers or web developers (AKA authors).
Further Reading
Today Only: Kingston Digital 64GB 100 G3 DataTraveler USB 3.0 Flash Drive for $18.99 (Shipped)
August 9, 2015 By
Buy.com via eBay offers the Kingston Digital 64GB 100 G3 DataTraveler USB 3.0 Flash Drive, model no. DT100G3/64GB, for $18.99 with free shipping. That's the lowest total price we could find by $4. Deal ends today.
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Abu Dhabi Introduces Braille Tourism Guides
August 9, 2015 By
ABU DHABI, UAE: The Abu Dhabi Police offered 100 Braille tourism brochures to the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs to acquaint visitors who are blind or have low vision to the emirate, with the services provided by the Tourism Police Section at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The Zayed Higher Organization is the first authority to benefit from this humanitarian service.
Colonel Dr. Rashid Mohammad Borshid, Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), noted that the initiative that was adopted by the Criminal Investigation Department aims at upgrading the level of services provided to the public. “This initiative represents a step towards wider integration for people who are blind or have low vision into society. It also contributes to enhancing the evolving nature of Abu Dhabi’s tourism offering, and reflecting the identified the touristic, entertainment and cultural aspects of the emirate, which has emerged as a major and popular tourist destination; in coordination with the concerned authorities,” he said.
Abu Dhabi Police officials present the braille brochures to Zayed Higher Organisation. Photo: ADP
Furthermore, Colonel Dr. Borshid noted that the humanitarian initiative is a part of the police leadership’s directives, within the ‘Plants of Hope’ initiative, which was launched by Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. The ‘Plants of Hope’ initiative aims to support and care for people with disabilities, provide them with a decent life and integrate them into the society.
Adding further, he said: “Providing care and assistance for people with disabilities, stems primarily from this category’s right to effectively exercise their rights as citizens. It also aims at spreading the police culture, as well as raising awareness among people with special needs about purposeful issues, in order to promote respect for human rights, and observance of the law and social values”. He also reiterated the Tourism Police Section’s keenness to make the most use of its potential in order to provide optimal and superior services to the public, especially people who are blind or have low vision ; as part of the plans aimed at reinforcing support for people with disabilities. This comes in response to the directives of the higher leadership, which dedicates a great attention to supporting, integrating, and empowering this segment, as it is an integral part of the fabric of the UAE society.
A delegation from the Tourism Police Section has recently visited the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs and offered 100 Braille Tourism brochures designed primarily for use by people who are blind or have low vision (50 copies in Arabic and 50 copies in English).
The Abu Dhabi Police reflected the message of the Zayed Higher Organization aimed at providing support and care to people with disabilities and integrating them into society. A number of people with vision disabilities inspected the brochure; and expressed their thanks and appreciation for Abu Dhabi Police for sponsoring this noble humanitarian project.
For his part, Lieutenant Colonel Muzeed Al Otaibi, Chief of the Tourism Police Section, stressed the Abu Dhabi Police’s keenness to provide all forms of support, find new ways to overcome obstacles that may impede the integration of people with disabilities positively within their communities as individuals who are able to be productive and creative; thanks to the ongoing attention and support from the UAE leadership.
Adding further, Lieutenant Colonel Al Otaibi said that this brochure helps will acquaint people who are blind or have low vision with all services provided by the Tourism Police Section in Abu Dhabi. He also indicated that such initiatives contribute to reinforcing social ties and strategic partnerships between social institutions and blind people.
According to Colonel Al Otaibi, the brochure includes an overview on the Tourism Police and their objectives. It also includes tips on the proper methods to call for help during emergency situations or to report loss of property; the appropriate mechanism to communicate with the Directorate General of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Abu Dhabi; in addition to acquainting tourists with the most popular tourist attractions, places of worship, hotels, traditional clothing, customs and social values, and driving conditions within the UAE.
The brochure also includes tips to riding taxis; taxi fare information, car rentals; local laws and sanctions related to alcohol and other drugs; driving distances between cities and emirates; sea and land trips; list of essential and important telephone numbers in Abu Dhabi, such as hospitals, federal authorities, commercial and cultural centers, airports, airlines and police stations.
Lieutenant Colonel Al Otaibi reiterated the Abu Dhabi Police’s keenness to upgrade the levels of police work, provide service and assistance for all, and to ensure that the emirate of Abu Dhabi remains a secure and safe society, by providing high quality police services for citizens, residents and visitors to the emirate.
Nae’ma Abdul Rahman Al Mansouri, Director of the Blind Printing Press Center, greeted the visiting delegation. She praised this humanitarian initiative, which reflects the dedicated attention of the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters to people with disabilities, and its firm belief in the police’s valuable role to achieve stability, progress and sustainable development in the country.
Furthermore, Mrs. Al Mansouri expressed her admiration for the high level of service provided by Abu Dhabi Police, and the keen interest of the Tourism Police Section to issue this brochure, to support people who are blind or have low vision and integrate them into society. She also commended the diligent police efforts to provide an appropriate atmosphere for tourists, in a way that reflects the bright image of the country.
The Director of the Blind Printing Press Center commended the close relationship between the MoI and the Zayed Higher Organization, and considered it as a successful strategic partnership model, which integrates efforts in order to provide support and care for the segments of society in the UAE in a way that ensures a life of dignity and security for all.
The Tourism Police Section, (www.hr.adpolice.gov.ae/tourismpolic), affiliated with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Directorate General of Police Operations, was established in 2008. The Section was created to ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable stay in the emirate, and to maintain the rich cultural and historic heritage of the UAE.
It is worth mentioning that the Blind Printing Press Center, one of the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care’s specialized centers for the people with disabilities. It is the only printing press on the UAE level to re-print all levels of national curriculum (educational programs and tools) for students with VI in mainstream schools, as well as cultural material, documents, and books with Braille. Established in 2000, the center caters to the needs of people who are blind or have low vision all over the country. On 24 January 2006, the Blind Printing Press Center became a specialized center operating under the umbrella of the Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care.
Today Only: Save Up to 86 Percent During The Summer Savings Spree at eBay
August 9, 2015 By
Various eBay sellers cut up to 86% off a selection of outdoor furniture, toys, apparel, electronics, and more during its Summer Savings Spree. (The banner advertises up to 60% off, but we found larger discounts.) Plus, all orders receive free shipping. Deal ends today.
Shopping is a breeze with our Blind Bargains Apps.
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Jawaharlal Nehru University plans e-resources for students with vision disabilities
August 9, 2015 By
NEW DELHI: (JNU) is considering setting up a National Resource Centre to develop an online portal to provide access to e-resources to faculty and students who are blind or have low vision of various universities across the globe.
The Central Library of the university is working on a proposal for submission to HRD ministry and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to set up a National Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired Faculty and Students of Higher Education Institutions in India (NRCVISHEI) and also to establish a consortia of Indian University Libraries to fulfil its aims and objectives.
“We plan to survey all the State, deemed and Central universities of the country which are recognised by UGC in order to find out the existing facilities, needs and expectations of people with vision disabilities,” varsity librarian Ramesh C Gaur said.
Gaur’s project, ‘Reaching the Unreached: Ensuring Equal Access to Visually Impaired Faculty and Students for Inclusive Education’ has also bagged the highly commended winner of the 2013 Emerald South Asia LIS Research Fund Award.
Source: Hindu
Grants awarded to nine states to improve services for children with disabilities
August 9, 2015 By
The U.S. Department of Education announced on August 7 the award of $9.2 million in grants to nine states to improve personnel training systems to help children with disabilities. States receiving grants are: Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada and Tennessee.
The , authorized by the , provides funds to assist states in reforming and improving their systems for personnel preparation and professional development in early intervention, education and transition services in order to enhance results for children with disabilities.
“America’s children with disabilities – like their non-disabled peers – deserve a world-class education,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “These awards will give states a helping hand to improve their training systems so that special education staff can provide their students with disabilities with the best education possible.”
Under the program, states must partner with at least one higher education institution to implement the terms of the grant. States must also join with at least one local education agency and either a Parent Training and Information Center, or a Community Parent Resource Center.
Grant awards will support several types of projects, including: recruitment and retention of highly qualified special education teachers; training in how to provide students with disabilities access to the general education curriculum; teacher coaching and mentoring; comprehensive online professional development; and training in increasing reading achievement for students with specific learning disabilities.
Teacher urges government to subsidize education for students with vision disabilities
August 9, 2015 By
LAGOS, NIGERIA: Mr Winful Clement, a teacher with vision disability, has appealed to the government to subsidize education for students with vision disabilities in the country.
Clement, an Information Communication Technology teacher, made the appeal on Sunday in Lagos in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Clement, who teaches at Parcelly School for the Blind and Partially Sighted Children, Lagos, said it was very expensive to train a student with vision disability in Nigerian schools.
He said that on the average, a student with vision disability needs equipment like writing frame, typewriter, Braille machine, laptop and an application called Job Acceleration with Speed (JAWS) to learn.
“To train a visually impaired person like myself is very expensive than the able-bodied person.
“The least material we use to educate the visually impaired students is about N5,000.
“On the average, a student needs more than N500, 000 to purchase the equipment he or she will use in school and also other resources which cannot be quantify.
“The government is paying more attention to conventional schools for students than accessible schools for persons with disabilities,’’ he said.
Clement stressed the need to pass and sign into law the Disability Bill. He said that the Disability Bill was the last hope for persons with disability.
“We hope that before the end of the tenure of President Muhammodu Buhari, the bill will be passed and signed into law.
“If the bill is signed, it will make legislation of persons with disabilities much effective.
“Persons with disabilities have much to gain in the bill, which include right to education, medical care, social amenities and job opportunity and protect us against discrimination and stigmatization,’’ he said.
He said many parents cannot afford to send their children to the few schools, which also have limited facilities for training.
The teacher said that many struggle to complete their tertiary education, and also have to struggle for the few job opportunities.
“After spending so much in school, our experience in securing a job is pathetic; most organization will said there is no vacancy and the few ones available will tell you that you are not competent for the vacancy.
“Public and private organisation are not employing visually impaired graduates, they say we cannot perform, but with today’s technology, can work in the office conveniently with the support of application and ICT,“ he said.
Clement listed lack of access road, unpaved road, lack of facilities in public places like banks, hotels, cinema, public transportation as some of the challenges confronting students with vision disabilities in their day-to-day activities.
Source: Leardership
Comments Requested on Requirements for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Plans
August 9, 2015 By
Federal agencies are asking for comments on the collection of data to be used for the development of state plans under the (WIOA).
The WIOA requires that each state submit a State Plan in order to receive funding for job training and employment programs, including people with disabilities and youth.
Submit comments on by October 5, 2015.