SVG Linearization and Accessibility

The usage of SVG (Scaleable Vector Graphics) creates new possibilities as well as new challenges for the accessibility of Web sites. This paper presents a metadata vocabulary to describe the information content of an SVG file geared towards accessibility. When used with a suitable tool, this metadata description can help in generating a textual (“linear”) version of the content, which can be used for users with disabilities or with non-visual devices. Although this paper concentrates on SVG, i.e. on graphics on the Web, the metadata approach and vocabulary presented below can be applied in relation to other technologies, too. Indeed, accessibility issues have a much wider significance, and have an effect on areas like CAD, cartography, or information visualization. Hence, the experiences of the work presented below may also be useful for practitioners in other areas.