WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

RE: Field labels

for

From: Jon Gunderson
Date: Mar 10, 2004 7:52AM

I think it is also important to remember that not all accessibility considerations are centered on screen reader compatibility. People with low vision or people with learning disabilities also need proper labeling.

Jon



---- Original message ----
>Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 08:24:24 -0600
>From: Tim Harshbarger < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
>Subject: RE: Field labels
>To: "' <EMAIL REMOVED> '" < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
>
>Allison and Julian,
>
>Another method for labeling fields is the title attribute.
>
><input type="text" name="address2" title="Address 2" />
>
>In this case, a non-visual browser, such as a screen reader, would provide
>the title attribute information. -- at least, that is my understanding.
>
>However, for grouping a number of logically related fields, I think Julian
>is right to suggest using the fieldset element.
>
>The question is would something along the lines of:
>
><fieldset>
> <legend>Expiration Date</legend>
> <input type="text" name="month" />
> /
> <input type="text" name="year" />
></fieldset>
>
>Provide enough information to the user to figure out what they need to
>enter.
>
>Perhaps, with the right visual cues, someone looking at the page may know
>what to enter.
>
>I am uncertain that an auditory rendering of the visual cues may assist
>someone using a screen reader though.
>
>In JAWS, it would be rendered like this -- "Expiration Date edit".
>
>In this case, I think it helps to have some kind of label to indicate that
>all you want is the month. Either that or I would suggest using a combobox
>with a list of the months. That may also clarify what information is being
>requested.
>
>Tim
>-----Original Message-----
>From: <EMAIL REMOVED> [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
>Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 7:46 AM
>To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
>Subject: RE: Field labels
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Allison Tynan [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
>
>> Is it possible to attach invisible field labels? Say for
>> example you have
>> three fields for an address, instead of labelling each field
>> Address 1,
>> Address 2 etc, is it possible to provide an invisible label
>> for the second
>> two fields?
>
>This is an interesting question that I too would like resolved. My version
>of the question would be, can a label apply to multiple (but logically
>related) fields. For example, I have a form where the user may select a
>month and year separately (in a sense, not unlike e-commerce forms where you
>specify the month and year of your credit card expiry date). Can a single
>label be used to apply to both fields or must each field have its own label?
>
>I am familiar with the <fieldset> tag and maybe that is the one to be used
>but I have never been very certain as to how to use it or when to use it.
>
>---------------------------------------------------------
>Julian Rickards
>Digital Publications Distribution Coordinator
>Publications Services Section
>Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
>Phone: (705) 670-5608
>Fax: (705) 670-5690
>
>
>
>----
>To subscribe, unsubscribe, suspend, or view list archives,
>visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
>
>
>----
>To subscribe, unsubscribe, suspend, or view list archives,
>visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/
>
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



----
To subscribe, unsubscribe, suspend, or view list archives,
visit http://www.webaim.org/discussion/