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Re: empty list item

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From: Patrick Burke
Date: Jan 6, 2009 12:00PM


Yes, using PatL's example gives a 3-item list
with the last one empty. (With Jaws 10 + IE7 the
list is picked up as a bulleted series. The last
item just says "bullet".) On a braille display it
shows a blank space next to the bullet indicator.

So, if you're indicating a list with gaps (things
to be filled in later, etc) it gets that message
across pretty well, I think. If you're trying to
do something else, then <li></li> isn't a good way to do it.

Patrick B
At 10:34 AM 1/6/2009, Patrick H. Lauke wrote:
>Angela French wrote: > Can anyone tell me if an
>empty list item, <li></li> causes any
>accessibility issues? I know it isn't
>semantically perfect, but does it cause any
>issues or inconviences for those using ATs?
>Unless I'm mistaken (can't test at the moment),
>screenreaders are likely to announce those empty
>list items. So, if you have <ul> <li>one</li>
><li>two</li> <li></li> </ul> a screenreader
>would likely announce that there's a list with 3
>items. This is likely to cause confusion or
>annoyance, I'd say. P -- Patrick H. Lauke
>