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Re: access form error messages

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From: Moore, Michael
Date: Nov 5, 2008 3:05PM

An implementation method that we have used very successfully here is to
present the error message in an alert window then when the user
activates the ok button on the alert, focus is placed in the form field
needing requiring the change. This method is not as effective when there
are multiple errors in a single form. Fortunately this is not a
frequent occurrence.

Screen reader users have responded very favorably to this method and
expressed a preference to this method over others.

If you don't want to do the alert, it is important to place focus on the
page just before the error message so that it can be found, otherwise
the user may not realize that an error has occurred. When we have used
this method, our screen reader users have expressed a preference for the
errors to be listed at the top of the page, while screen magnifier users
have preferred notification at the location of the error. I believe that
this is because of the screen reader feature of being able to bring up a
list of form fields and quickly navigate to the trouble spot.

Mike