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RE: Flash MX 2004/8, Tab Index and JAWS

for

From: Andrew Kirkpatrick
Date: Apr 11, 2006 7:40AM

Martin,
You need to use forms mode to enter information into an input. When you
reach the edit in the flash app, hit enter, then type after it says
"forms mode on".

This issue is still a lttle difficult to debug with the information
provided. Can you send me the blog entry that you refer to?

AWK


________________________________

From: Friedel, Martin James - FRIMJ001
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 7:40 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Cc: Andrew Kirkpatrick
Subject: RE: [WebAIM] Flash MX 2004/8, Tab Index and JAWS


Andrew,

Now this is an odd one - I can't actually replicate the lack of
tab order now. The files I was working on are all working fine through
JAWS.

There are a few other issues that you might be able to shed some
light on however.

Firstly, I've noticed that when using JAWS it is is nearly
impossible to use the keyboard for input (i.e. typing). I tried even
entering in the day (Tuesday) into an input field with JAWS running and
all I could actually type was 'ay'.

So that's one small issue - another is more complex and is still
to do with the tab order, but the problem stems from components. I've
found a blog entry on the web that discusses this issue, as well as a
means to fixing it, however I've been unable to solve it. As soon as you
introduce a component to the stage (or library even) the tab order is
disregarded all together. I find this a little ironic given that these
components are meant to be accessible, but it doesn't help when the
component being used makes another accessibility feature cease to work.
Do you have any suggestions in fixing this, or can shed some light onto
we as developers can still use the Macromedia ready-made components and
create accessible Flash content at the same time?

Cheers,
Marty

________________________________

From: Andrew Kirkpatrick [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
Sent: Mon 10/04/2006 11:37 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: RE: [WebAIM] Flash MX 2004/8, Tab Index and JAWS


Marty,
It'd be useful to see the example. Can you send a link?
AWK


________________________________

From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Friedel,
Martin James - FRIMJ001
Sent: Sunday, April 09, 2006 7:37 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List; WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: RE: [WebAIM] Flash MX 2004/8, Tab Index and
JAWS


Thanks Jared - I've already checked that - used the
AccRepair tool and that says everything is fine. It's an odd one - when
JAWS is off, the tab order is fine, but when JAWS is on, it misses
parts.

It's a weird one...
Marty

________________________________

From: Jared Smith [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
Sent: Mon 10/04/2006 12:14 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Flash MX 2004/8, Tab Index and
JAWS



Friedel, Martin James - FRIMJ001 wrote:
> I'm currently working on some research into Flash
accessibility and have
> found a bizarre problem when combining content built
in Flash 8
> (published as 7). When I tab through the movie in
Internet Explorer with
> JAWS (4.51) not running, the tab order is as
programmed (every instance
> has a tab index set, and there are no static text
instances). But when
> JAWS is turned on, the tab order is thrown out the
window and entire
> instances are not accessible when using the tab key.
>
> Has anyone experienced this issue, and has a possible
solution?
>
> Cheers,
> Marty

If I recall correctly, EVERY tabable (not sure that's a
word, but...)
element must have the programmed tab index defined,
otherwise Flash
ignores ALL of your programmed tab indexes. Take a close
look, because
there's probably something in the interface that you
haven't defined a tab
index for.

Jared