RE: Question re: WCAG2.0, Requirement 3.3.2

Having labels on the right for radio buttons and checkboxes is very
important to users of screen magnification software.  Screen magnification
will align the left edge of the magnified area before the checkmark and the
text of the checkmark and radio button will often go past the edge of the
magnified area on the right.  When the label is on the left the checkmark
would likely be out of view.

This positioning is mentioned as an advisory technique under 1.3.1 and
mentioned under G162
http://www.w3.org/TR/2010/NOTE-WCAG20-TECHS-20101014/G162  So while it's not
required it strongly benefits users with low vision.  Sometimes it seems
like the standards and their implementation focus primarily on certain
disability groups and other user groups needs are not fully met.

For example, guidance on not using color to convey meaning indicated that
provide an off-screen alternative such as a title attribute or text
positioned off-screen would meet the requirement although this information
would be NOT obtainable for someone not using a screen reader who was
colorblind.  It similar to the old skip navigation idea where skip
navigation links were just hidden for screen reader users but not available
to other keyboard users who do not use screen readers.

Jonathan

-----Original Message-----
From: w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org [mailto:w3c-wai-ig-request@w3.org] On Behalf
Of Charles McCathieNevile
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 3:33 AM
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org; Phil Evans
Subject: Re: Question re: WCAG2.0, Requirement 3.3.2

Hi Phil,

On Wed, 15 Jun 2011 09:01:11 +0200, Phil Evans <pae9@star.le.ac.uk> wrote:
...
> "3.3.2 Labels or Instructions: Labels or instructions are provided when
> content requires user input. (Level A) "
>
> This seems straightforward enough. However, following via the link "How
> to meet 3.3.2" leads to the page:
> http://www.w3.org/TR/2010/NOTE-WCAG20-TECHS-20101014/H44
>
> which includes the line, 'Note that the label is positioned after input
> elements of type="checkbox" and type="radio".'
>
> It is not clear to me whether this is a *requirement* or not (although
> the validator I am using assumes it is). That is, is the following part
> of a form OK or not?

The text is part of an old requirement (written when implementation of
<label> wasn't very good) which called for *consistent* placement of
labels in relation to controls, and suggested that the *common* pattern
for checkboxes was to place text after them.

While you should certainly ensure that you layout is consistent, I don't
think you need to worry so much whether your labels are typically before
or after the thing they are labeling (so long as they have proper markup
they are likely to be useful in most modern software).

IMHO, of course

cheers

Chaals

-- 
Charles McCathieNevile  Opera Software, Standards Group
     je parle français -- hablo español -- jeg lærer norsk
http://my.opera.com/chaals       Try Opera: http://www.opera.com

Received on Wednesday, 15 June 2011 12:25:41 UTC