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Re: Placeholder text contrast

for

From: Bryan Garaventa
Date: Mar 20, 2015 12:35PM


There are additional issues regarding placeholder that relate to current Accessibility API mappings that are having a significant
impact on accessibility for AT users at present as well, which I've already brought up recently at
http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-pfwg/2015Mar/0116.html
Which might be helpful to be aware of.

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED> [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Jesse Hausler
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 10:54 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Placeholder text contrast

Thanks for the responses guys. That's very interesting that w3c specifically notes that placeholder text should meet the standard.

I agree with that in principal, but it is curious that browsers fail this by default.

I also agree with Jonathan's point about duplication.

Thanks again,
Jesse

On Fri, Mar 20, 2015 at 10:47 AM, Jonathan Avila < <EMAIL REMOVED>
> wrote:

> > If placeholder text is being used properly (input masks, giving
> > examples,
> etc) and visible form labels are present, does the placeholder text
> need to meet contrast ratios?
>
> IMO if the information in the placeholder such as example or masks is
> not available elsewhere then contrast would be an issue. If that
> information is duplicated in the label then technically you would be
> fine -- but in general placeholders can be confusing unless you are
> very limited by space they may not be a good idea.
>
> > Browser defaults appear to be 2.2:1 or so... Are people expected to
> override browser defaults?
>
> IMO most people will not know how to.
>
> > Our usability studies found that people thought that form fields
> > were
> already filled out when placeholder text color met 4.5:1.
>
> In general it may be best to avoid them if you can. Small screen
> sizes make this a challenge though.
>
> --
> Jonathan Avila
> Chief Accessibility Officer
> SSB BART Group
> <EMAIL REMOVED>
> Phone 703.637.8957
> Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Blog | Newsletter
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: <EMAIL REMOVED> [mailto:
> <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Jesse Hausler
> Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 12:57 PM
> To: WebAIM Discussion List
> Subject: [WebAIM] Placeholder text contrast
>
> If placeholder text is being used properly (input masks, giving
> examples,
> etc) and visible form labels are present, does the placeholder text
> need to meet contrast ratios?
>
> Browser defaults appear to be 2.2:1 or so... Are people expected to
> override browser defaults?
>
> Our usability studies found that people thought that form fields were
> already filled out when placeholder text color met 4.5:1.
>
> Thanks,
> Jesse
> > > list messages to <EMAIL REMOVED>
> > > list messages to <EMAIL REMOVED>
>