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Re: Label vs ALT tag on form elements

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From: Moore, Michael
Date: Mar 21, 2007 12:20PM

Perhaps its time for a little comparison and some results of testing.

First the 508 requirement

ยง 1194.22 Web-based intranet and internet information and applications...
(n) When electronic forms are designed to be completed on-line, the form shall allow people using assistive technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues.

Nothing specific there about the method of accomplishing that goal.

Results of our tests with two assistive technologies.

JAWS 6.1+ label element and title attribute both work with default reader settings, alt on anything but image attribute fails. If title and label are both present JAWS will favor the label.

ZoomText 9.0: Label element fails with ZoomText's reader. Title attribute provides most reliable rendering of the purpose of the input.

Our recommendation: Use both title and label whenever possible to achieve the most robust coverage.

Mike Moore
Accessibility Specialist
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
(512) 424-4159


-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED> [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Robert Yonaitis
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 12:49 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List; WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Label vs ALT tag on form elements

Jared:

I also recommend the labels. But to say 508 fails because of this instance would be wrong according to the accessboard.

Cheers,
rob