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Re: Is use of <label> and title redundant?

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From: GILLENWATER, ZOE M
Date: Nov 19, 2012 6:41AM

Hi Sailesh,

One advantage for hidden labels that I've found when testing the difference between them and title attributes on form fields is that a few screen reader-browser combinations will not read the title text in normal reading mode, only when focused in the form field. The hidden label always gets read in both normal and forms reading modes. This seems non-trivial to me, as hearing label-less form fields announced would be confusing and doesn't give you the information you need to be able to decide whether you want to go into forms reading mode. Have you never seen this behavior with title text in normal reading mode?

I've even seen cases where not only is the title text not announced in normal reading mode, but the type of form field is not announced, so you have no idea anything is even there to enter forms mode for. Granted, this has only happened to me in older screen readers, but still, it's a pretty big problem. Again, this is just in normal reading mode--I've had no problems with title text in forms reading mode. But because of this, using regular old labels seems far safer in many contexts. Title text has its place too, but I'm starting to think that hidden labels should be the technique of first resort (apart from adding visible labels whenever possible, of course!).

I'd love to hear differing opinions on this! :-)

Thanks,
Zoe

Zoe Gillenwater
Web Accessibility Technical Architect
AT&T Consumer Digital Experience

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