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Form objects and Section 508

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From: Kevin Spruill
Date: Mar 25, 2002 3:14PM

Hello all,

Sorry for the mime mail earlier...

In the midst of a methodology debate, and am interested in practical
feedback. The Section 508 guidelines state:

"(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." - and
the training materials then go on to discuss proper use of labels, etc.
to assure accessibility. The training materials also say:

"Don't configure the fields with default text entry, since an AT user
expects to encounter blank space for a field so he can enter his own
information"

Which is fine except for the fact that it contradicts the W3C
recommendation which states:

"10.4 Until user agents handle empty controls correctly, include
default, place-holding characters in edit boxes and text areas."

Now, without getting into a spirit vs. letter of the law argument, I'm
wondering just which approach is best for the user? Any thoughts?

Thanx in advance!


Kevin Spruill
National Library of Medicine
OCCS
<EMAIL REMOVED>
(301) 402-9708
(301) 402-0367 (fax)
www.nlm.nih.gov


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