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Re: Optimum position of asterisk on web forms

for

From: Karlen Communications
Date: Oct 9, 2008 12:40PM

Hi:

I would also tend to put the "-required" in the form control as I never know
when "star" means required for a field and since I usually just work with a
list of form controls not the text around them, having the "- required" as
part of the form control label lets me work through forms quickly.

I don't think an asterisk provides enough accessibility. For form controls

Cheers, Karen

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Daniel Tang
(dtang)
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 1:11 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Optimum position of asterixes on web forms

Hello:

For the benefit of screen reader users, it should placed to the left of
the required field. When a screen reader application announces the char,
the user knows immediately that the field is required.


Daniel Tang
Accessibility Specialist CCIE # 3681
Cisco Systems
170 W. Tasman
San Jose, CA 95134
Phone: 408 526 7814
Email: <EMAIL REMOVED>

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Gareth Dart
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 8:08 AM
To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
Subject: [WebAIM] Optimum position of asterixes on web forms

Hello all,

Not so much an accessibility issue per-se but an important usability
issue.

Users without significant visual impairment derive a useful visual cue
from the inclusion of an asterix next to required fields on a form. We
currently have a minor interdepartmental ding-dong going about exactly
where this asterix should be placed.

I have always put this to the right of the field control - and have been
doing this for so long I've ceased (until now) to question this
placement. Another colleague (from a print background) has suggested
that it should be placed to the left of the label, citing user's
left-to-right reading habits as a rationale - the users see the asterix
right off and therefore knows the field is mandatory. Yet another
person has suggested to the right of the label, between the label and
the field control (the form is styled to float labels next to their
associated form controls).

A google search suggests there seems to be no consensus view. Does
anyone have any thoughts>

Cheers,

G


Gareth Dart
Web Developer
Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
95 Promenade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1HZ T 01242 211128 F
01242 211122 W www.hesa.ac.uk <http://www.hesa.ac.uk/>;