Pro HTML5 Accessibility

Readers praise this book as one of the best available for web accessibility, highlighting the author's strong credentials as a W3C Invited Expert and Senior Accessibility Consultant. Many found it to be a super-comprehensive and very good technical resource, particularly for topics relating to HTML5 and accessibility. A significant positive is the inclusion of practical, ready-made code snippets, which are highly useful for implementation. Additionally, the book offers interesting accessibility ideas, valuable background information on the limitations users face, and a well-received section dedicated to screen readers.

However, some readers found the writing style to be overly casual for a professional technical book, suggesting that the content could have been condensed by as much as 25 percent by removing some of the more conversational elements. While comprehensive, the book is noted for not offering much new or groundbreaking information specifically about HTML5, often padding content with general accessibility tips. The chapter on WAI-ARIA is described as more of an invitation to further research than a thorough overview. Critics also pointed out a lack of specific details on requirements according to different major standards, feeling there was too much opinion and not enough factual guidance.

In conclusion, this book is generally considered a good and concise overview, making it a valuable resource for those serious about building accessible websites using HTML5. It is particularly well-suited for readers seeking practical code examples and a solid introduction or refresher on general accessibility principles and screen reader considerations. While it may not awe seasoned accessibility professionals seeking groundbreaking insights or highly detailed, standards-specific analysis, it serves as an excellent starting point and practical guide for developers looking to enhance the accessibility of their web projects.