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Re: onchange javascript event in auto dropdown box

for

From: Jared Smith
Date: Jul 9, 2008 2:10PM

On Wed, Jul 9, 2008 at 1:36 PM, Lee, Samson (HRSA) [C] < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> I just found that you can actually navigate and
> pick an item from the dropdown if you press Alt + down arrow and hit
> Enter.

The problem is that there is no indication that the user must select the
non-traditional Alt + down arrow for these types of select menus, as
opposed to simply the down arrow, which is the default behavior.

> It's probably not user friendly this way, but I guess technically
> this is still 508 compliant?

The relevant section 508 guideline states, "(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."

In my opinion, if there is a jump menu element that in it's default
state is not accessible, this likely fails this guideline. Now if you
provide the user with the relevant "directions and cues" - "Press Alt
+ Down Arrow" (is this consistent across browsers?) - then perhaps you
could state 508 compliance, though I'd be more concerned with
accessibility than merely compliance.

Jared Smith
WebAIM