Re: test of contrast with styled form controls

perhaps being greyed out is a failure of 1.4.1 and it becomes a non issue
if accessibility testers/tools review disabled elements for contrast. I
think we have to set a minimum contrast level for them to test against.
That being said...I agree -  there needs to be a different way (other than
a dimmer grey) to indicate visually that something is disabled.

On Thu, Nov 10, 2016 at 2:14 PM, Glenda Sims <glenda.sims@deque.com> wrote:

> Jim,
>
> I'm struggling with coming up with an excellent design pattern for
> disabled form controls that:
>
> 1)  Clearly indicates that the form control is not currently available
> AND
> 2)  Allows a person with low vision to see the disabled form control.
>
> It is a bit of a conundrum for me.  I keep wondering if the way to solve
> the problem is to stop trying to do it with low contrast...and instead use
> a visually clear indicator of "unavailable".
>
> For example, when selecting seats on an airplane, unavailable seats may be
> clearly indicated with an "X" that everyone can see (and also with
> alternative text that clearly conveys this visual information to a screen
> reader).
>
> I'm not a designer...but I keep thinking of the classic red circle with a
> slanted line through it to mean "no", or an "x" laid on top of something
> (or beside it) or a strike through line.
>
> I'll be interested to see what others think/suggest.  I don't want to give
> up on this problem just because there isn't an easy, obvious answer.  I
> mean, seriously, if Apple could figure out how to make touch screens
> accessible...surely we can come up with a creative and elegant solution for
> disabled controls that makes it better for all users (says the optimistic
> goodwitch).
>
> Glenda
>
> glenda sims    |   team a11y lead   |    deque.com    |    512.963.3773
>
>
> *web for everyone. web on everything.* -  w3 goals
>
> On Thu, Nov 10, 2016 at 1:50 PM, Jim Allan <jimallan@tsbvi.edu> wrote:
>
>> Create a page http://w3c.github.io/low-vision-SC/contrast-styled-forms.
>> html
>>
>> styled the enabled form controls to have a border contrast of 4.5:1
>> styled the disabled form controls to have a border contrast of 3.0:1
>>
>> ​Note: IE 10 and FF do not allow radio button or checkbox border styling.
>> Other controls can be styled.  Webkit browsers (chrome, safari, et al)​
>> allow styling of all controls.
>>
>> What do you think? is there enough contrast between enabled and disabled
>> controls?
>>
>> please comment to me or the list. I will compile results.
>>
>> --
>> Jim Allan, Accessibility Coordinator
>> Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
>> 1100 W. 45th St., Austin, Texas 78756
>> voice 512.206.9315    fax: 512.206.9264  http://www.tsbvi.edu/
>> "We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us." McLuhan, 1964
>>
>
>


-- 
Jim Allan, Accessibility Coordinator
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
1100 W. 45th St., Austin, Texas 78756
voice 512.206.9315    fax: 512.206.9264  http://www.tsbvi.edu/
"We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us." McLuhan, 1964