Re: drop down lists

IE has a command to pull down the menu using the keyboard.  It is not an obvious command, but it was Microsofts response to this problem.

1. When the select box gets focus the user can type ALT+Down Arrow.  This opens the list box options.

2. Release the ALT key and use the up and down arrow keys to move the selection to the option you want.  

3. Use the Enter (Return) key to select the option you want.

Jon




---- Original message ----
>Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 07:44:01 -0600
>From: "Kelly Pierce" <kpierce2000@earthlink.net>  
>Subject: drop down lists   
>To: <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
>
>
>
>Hello,
>
>Using JAWS 5.0, I have noticed on various websites the use of drop down
>lists that have no go button.  Instead, the non-disabled user would click on
>the list, hold down a mouse button, and pull down the list until the desired
>item is reached, and then letting go of the button with the desired page
>popping up.  With JAWS, I noticed that when in forms mode, each item that is
>highlighted activates the auto redirect feature.  An example of this is on
>the web page of Washington Mutual at:
>
>http://www.wamu.com
>
>The first item that would be recognized as a form field by JAWS is one of
>these kinds of pull down boxes.
>
>What is the remedy for this kind of problem?  Does the end user with a
>screen reader need to adjust his computer or should the element be designed
>differently to avoid auto activation of list elements when they are pulled
>down?  If both are possible, how could each be accomplished?
>
>Kelly
>
>
>
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: jongund@uiuc.edu

WWW: http://cita.rehab.uiuc.edu/
WWW: http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~jongund

Received on Friday, 12 March 2004 10:08:42 UTC