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Re: Complex forms

for

From: Jon Gunderson
Date: Apr 9, 2003 7:49AM

There are a couple issues:
1. Proper labeling of form controls
2. Using headings (H1-H6) to indicate different sections of the forms.
3. There also maybe issues if the forms have dynamic options that change
the form through scripting based on user responses.

Here are some lecture slides on labeling form controls:
http://cita.rehab.uiuc.edu/courses/2003-01-LIS350AR/lec10/index.html
http://cita.rehab.uiuc.edu/courses/2003-01-LIS350AR/lec11/index.html

Here is an example of accessible form design:
http://www.rehab.uiuc.edu/servlets/survey.survey6

Jon



At 10:14 AM 4/9/2003 +1000, you wrote:
>Hi everyone
>
>I've been aware of the basics of accessibility for quite a while now but
>have not delved into the nuts and bolts. As demand from our clients grow I
>am required to have the answers.
>
>One thing that I'm struggling with is the best way to present a complex
>form. All the examples I have seen to date are reasonably simple. The
>majority of our clients are Australian government departments many of which
>have lengthy and complex forms.
>
>When I say complex I am talking about a lot of explanatory text that goes
>with the form (at the start, during and at the end), a lot of skipping i.e.
>if answer is no then go to question xyz, a lot of detailed and complex data
>etc. I have observed a blind person using Jaws a few times and have noticed
>that when it comes to form filling they enter into a 'forms' mode which
>appeared to skip a lot of the explanatory text that came with the example
>form that we were looking at and read the labels and other extra information
>tags that were associated with each particular field in the form.
>
>I would be very interested in having a look at some complex forms that
>readers of this mailing list have developed to get an idea how some if not
>all of these issues are being overcome.
>
>Regards
>
>Gerard Corboz
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>Perform
>Information Design Solutions
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>fax: 6214 0964
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>http://www.perform.net.au
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Jon Gunderson, Ph.D., ATP
Coordinator of Assistive Communication and Information Technology
Division of Rehabilitation - Education Services
MC-574
College of Applied Life Studies
University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign
1207 S. Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820

Voice: (217) 244-5870
Fax: (217) 333-0248

E-mail: <EMAIL REMOVED>

WWW: http://cita.rehab.uiuc.edu/
WWW: http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~jongund



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