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RE: Labeling Form Controls

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From: Hoffman, David
Date: Jul 18, 2003 9:07AM

The "Departure Date:" [Text Edit Input Box] "(mm/dd/yyyy)" example is an
excellent example of a basic form labeling challenge. The challenges grow in
complexity on complex forms. I have been communicating with Freedom
Scientific regarding this issue for some time. They are now proposing the
use of a "contextHelp" attribute in controls that require context help. In
the date example, the attribute contextHelp="(mm/dd/yyyy)" could be included
in the text edit input box. Visual parsers will ignore the attribute, since
it is undefined in HTML. JAWS 5 will support the attribute, as follows:

JAWS announces "Departure Date Edit Insert F1 Help".
Pressing Insert+F1 causes JAWS to announce the Help text.

This solution will allow JAWS users to be aware of available help, and to
choose whether or not to listen to that help. This is valuable because the
context help on complex forms can sometimes be quite long.

It is hoped that the other screen reader vendors will also choose to support
this attribute. To help achieve that goal, Freedom Scientific has been
discussing the concept with the WAI, as well as discussing it publicly at
trade shows.

Take care,
David

David Hoffman
IT Accessibility Specialist
MILVETS Systems Technology, Inc.