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Re: Focus for error messages

for

From: Joshue O Connor
Date: Apr 20, 2007 3:00AM

tedd wrote:
>> Is a javascript solution using pop-ups OK, or not?

Good question. What are others think about this approach, issues of
support for JS notwithstanding? My feeling is that it is not _always_
ideal. The error message will receive focus but there is potential for
the user to also miss it while concentrating on other JAWS output. You
should test it if you are a proficient using screen reader user (or user
test) and see if it works smoothly in each particular situation. I tend
to like the idea of having the errors as a list of links either above
the form itself or over the missed or incorrect form field. Each
situation can of course require a different approach so in some
situations the pop up may be OK.

> I don't know how JAWS works with pop-ups.

JAWS will see the pop up but again there is potential for it to be
missed as with any reader using the OSM the user is often interacting
with a virtualized page and not the page proper.

> a "behind the scenes evaluation" of the data entered can certainly be done with php which could generate a window telling the user what was wrong.

Even with one window it could get messy as the user may not know how to
get back to the main page. You could force focus for the window using JS
on each error instance but I guess it may be better to present the error
message near where the error occurs.

Cheers

Josh

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