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Re: WCAG 2.0 Question: Converting Form to Static Version

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From: Hewitt,Susan (DSHS)
Date: Feb 28, 2014 6:24AM

A "static" HTML form is not a form. If all that can be done is print it out and fill it in, it's become nothing but a web page. Is this what you mean by static? That it won't be able to be filled out and submitted online?

If this is your plan, I would not use native form elements such as labels, input types, etc. All this will do is confuse the screen reader user into thinking they're working with an actual form when they aren't. They're only working with a text page that's been designed to visually look like a form.

The example you shared isn't a form so it's not really an issue of meeting form standards by using images for bullets. Maybe someone else will say since what you're creating will visually look like one, you should use form elements in the markup but I really do think this would do a disservice to the screen reader user.

I'm not sure why you need to convert your true, interactive PDF form into a static HTML page. But if it's not possible to make an actual HTML form I would suggest keeping your PDF, making sure it's accessible, and putting it up alongside the static HTML page. This will give your users who are visually impaired true access to it. This is certainly the opposite of what people typically to do, though.