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Thread: Include default text?

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From: Glenda
Date: Thu, Oct 21 2004 1:52PM
Subject: Include default text?
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Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 Guideline 10.4 states:

"Include default text in form controls"

I think I read in "Constructing Accessible Web Sites" that this is no longer
required for current technology. Is this definitely the case?

I am developing a site and no default text is the only reason its not
Triple-A compliant, which is what I would like. Is there anyway to hide
default text so only screen readers know its there?? Personally I think
default text would confused new/inexperienced users as they may know how to
get rid of it.

Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Glenda

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From: Jared Smith
Date: Thu, Oct 21 2004 2:06PM
Subject: Re: Include default text?
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> I am developing a site and no default text is the only reason its not
> Triple-A compliant, which is what I would like.

I believe you are referring to WCAG checkpoint 10.4 - "Until user
agents handle empty controls correctly, include default,
place-holding characters in edit boxes and text areas."

The key is the "Until user agents handle empty controls correctly"
Virtually all user agents expose empty form controls to the end user.
So, in my opinion, this checkpoint can be ignored.

Jared Smith
WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind)
Center for Persons with Disabilities
Utah State University

From: Glenda
Date: Thu, Oct 21 2004 2:19PM
Subject: Re: Include default text?
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Thanks!

So, can I legitimately use Bobby's AAA icon even though I get that one
error??

Cheers,
Glenda

-----Original Message-----
From: Jared Smith [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 1:04 PM
To: "WebAIM Discussion List"
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Include default text?



> I am developing a site and no default text is the only reason its not
> Triple-A compliant, which is what I would like.

I believe you are referring to WCAG checkpoint 10.4 - "Until user
agents handle empty controls correctly, include default,
place-holding characters in edit boxes and text areas."

The key is the "Until user agents handle empty controls correctly"
Virtually all user agents expose empty form controls to the end user.
So, in my opinion, this checkpoint can be ignored.

Jared Smith
WebAIM (Web Accessibility In Mind)
Center for Persons with Disabilities
Utah State University

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