RE: Form design - best practice

There are a couple of places to look for examples of best practice.

The WCAG curriculum is a step by step guide through checkpoints in WCAG 1,
with examples: http://www.w3.org/WAI/wcag-curric/

(including some basic stuff about forms such as
http://www.w3.org/WAI/wcag-curric/sam78-0 for how to label controls)

More important is probably the WCAG techniques document:
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10-TECHS
which includes a section on HTML forms:
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10-HTML-TECHS/#forms

You could look at what is there as a starting point, and propose ways to make
it clearer, more helpful, or say it is already perfect <grin/> for the WCAG
group who maintain that...

cheers

Charles

On Wed, 16 Jan 2002, SHARPE, Ian wrote:

  Didn't see that one comming!!:0)

  Much as I would be heppy to do so I don't feel I have the knowledge
  required. My knowledge of hardcore HTML HTML accessibility issues seems very
  inadequate compared to others on the list (why I joined!). I just keep
  things simple and it works for me but I don't think many screen reader users
  have used any of my sites!! Most of it is common sense to me but as to when
  to use div or span, labelling etc my knowledge is limited.

  If others are prepared to put their 10 euros worth in (don't think that
  should be a problem) then I would be happy to create the pages and put them
  together. A good starting point might be for me to just throw something (not
  litterally) together and then ask people to tell me how it should be done? I
  don't have any web space anywhere but i'm sure someone can point me at a
  suitable host?

  I work full time and swim about 4 hours a day excluding travel so no
  promisses but will certainly kick something off. (Why do I get the feeling I
  will regret saying that!!?)

  I'm away until Monday after today so if you reply after close of play today
  please bare with me until I get back.

  Cheers
  Ian

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Scarlett Julian (ED) [mailto:Julian.Scarlett@sheffield.gov.uk]
  Sent: 16 January 2002 16:09
  To: SHARPE, Ian
  Subject: RE: Form design - best practice


  No you are not crap  - or if you are then no more so than myself ;-)

  Are you offering to put together one or are you asking for help in putting
  such a resource together?

  Julian

  > -----Original Message-----
  > From: SHARPE, Ian [mailto:Ian.SHARPE@cambridge.sema.slb.com]
  > Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 3:58 PM
  > To: WAI (E-mail)
  > Subject: Form design - best practice
  >
  >
  > Having started following the recent thread on form problems
  > it seems to me
  > that a form design best practice would signicantly help
  > promote and educate
  > (me for one) accessiblity concerns.
  >
  > I noted many good points relating to form design when I
  > followed the thread
  > and feel this should not be wasted. After forms, forms are fairly
  > universally used all the time and the discussion applies to
  > any form seeking
  > to provide help.
  >
  > An example form, including all the appropriate labeling of controls
  > techniques, naming, use of access keys, alt text, layout,
  > explanations I
  > feel would be a tremendous resource!! Could even provide
  > brief explanations
  > of why each technique is used (reference to WCAG) as help?!!:-)
  >
  > Or am I just crap and one already exists in a very obvious place?!!
  >
  > Cheers
  > Ian
  >
  >
  > ______________________________________________________________
  > _____________
  > This email is confidential and intended solely for the use of the
  > individual to whom it is addressed. Any views or opinions
  > presented are
  > solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of
  > SchlumbergerSema.
  > If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that you
  > have received this
  > email in error and that any use, dissemination, forwarding,
  > printing, or
  > copying of this email is strictly prohibited.
  >
  > If you have received this email in error please notify the
  > SchlumbergerSema Helpdesk by telephone on +44 (0) 121 627 5600.
  > ______________________________________________________________
  > _____________
  >
  The information in this email is confidential. The contents may not be
  disclosed or used by anyone other than the addressee.  If you are not the
  addressee, please tell us by using the reply facility in your email software
  as soon as possible. Sheffield City Council cannot accept any responsibility
  for the accuracy or completeness of this message as it has been transmitted
  over a public network.  If you suspect that the message may have been
  intercepted or amended please tell us as soon as possible.


-- 
Charles McCathieNevile    http://www.w3.org/People/Charles  phone: +61 409 134 136
W3C Web Accessibility Initiative     http://www.w3.org/WAI    fax: +1 617 258 5999
Location: 21 Mitchell street FOOTSCRAY Vic 3011, Australia
(or W3C INRIA, Route des Lucioles, BP 93, 06902 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France)

Received on Wednesday, 16 January 2002 11:37:05 UTC