WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: Must all form fields be active to be perceivable?

for

From: Lovely, Brian (CONT)
Date: May 12, 2017 8:24AM

Good point, Steve. Although I don't see a way around having at least an empty select "on hold" in situations like a select for state and which then causes a select for county to populate. This seems like a common enough pattern. I suppose there needs to be some text explaining that certain parts of the form are dependent on choices made in other parts.

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Meacham, Steve - FSA, Kansas City, MO
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 9:55 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >; <EMAIL REMOVED>
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Must all form fields be active to be perceivable?

Not really. Forms are not always filled out one-pass top-to-bottom. Using mouse or keyboard, it's entirely possible to skip around form fields in any order. This can have seldom-considered consequences.

Consider this scenario: Three form fields in visual and code order named A, B, and C. Field A enables and determines what is valid in field B. Field B enables and determines what is valid in field C. The user has filled in all three in order, then goes back to change field A. What happens, and how is a sight-free user made aware?

Now consider a more typical business form with a dozen or more fields with even more complex interdependencies.

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Lovely, Brian (CONT)
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2017 7:45 AM
To: <EMAIL REMOVED> ; WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Must all form fields be active to be perceivable?

The important thing is that the added/activated form fields be after the triggering field in code order. In other words, if you split a form into A, B, and C sections (with A being first in code order, and C last), and some choice in the B section activates a field in the C section, then that's fine because the screen reader user hasn't navigated to the C section yet, and they will discover the newly activated inputs when they do. However, if some choice in the B section activates a field in the A section, the assumption is that the screen reader user has already been through the A section and has no idea that it has now changed.



The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and/or proprietary to Capital One and/or its affiliates and may only be used solely in performance of work or services for Capital One. The information transmitted herewith is intended only for use by the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from your computer.