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Re: Can I use Javascript to "make accessible" a third party app that isn't

for

From: Paul Collins
Date: Jan 21, 2009 7:50AM

Hi Marissa, welcome to the Forum!

I would like to know what are the cirumstances are for the "special" form fields. Although the general consensus is all form fields should have a label, I could think of some examples where it doesn't need a label, such as "Date", because you'd need three select boxes for it and the design may not have a label for each of three - just the "date" one at the start. I'm sure I'll be debated on this, but the example is more to prove that every form is different and has different fields.

I believe in an example like above, you could add a title to each form field, as titles on a form field are read out by the majority of assistive software. (Correct me if I'm wrong, anyone?)

So, it would be worth assessing each form field on an individual basis. Forms are supposed to work without the use of Javascript to be accessible, so this wouldn't really be a worthwhile solution. It may help some screen readers that support Javascript though.

Also, you can get a trial version for JAWS and the other major screen readers I think.

Cheers
Paul


-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED> [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Goldsmith, Marissa
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 2:23 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: [WebAIM] Can I use Javascript to "make accessible" a third party app that isn't

I've been lurking on this list for a while and absorbing quite a bit.
And now I have a question.



Our client is trying to make their website more accessible. We've identified a probably, however, with some of their donation forms. The tool is almost accessible. Most of the form fields have labels, but there are a few, because they are "special" that don't. We don't have any way to change how the form code is built, and the maker of the application will not make any changes.



Instead, we think we can use Javascript to add labels into the DOM of the page as soon as it has loaded. I know it's not an ideal solution.
We don't have access to the more popular screenreaders, so I can't tell what will happen. Will the ScreenReaders pick up on the Javascript? I realize that it's not the most elegant solution, and that it will not likely "pass" a 508 check, but I would like to know if it would help improve the accessibility of the page.



Thanks!



------------------------------------------------

Marissa Goldsmith

Beaconfire Consulting

http://www.beaconfire.com <http://www.beaconfire.com>;

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