Re: Auto-Tabbing - Is this ever allowed?

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On Thu, May 28, 2015 at 12:07 PM -0700, "Jim Allan" <jimallan@tsbvi.edu> wrote:
Phill,
I disagree.
auto tabbing in my understanding is having a phone number input with 3
fields. when you type 3 digit in the first field (which is its max size)
the focus is automatically moved to the next field. The user did nothing
except type 3 digits.
I tab through form fields. On a form with autotab, unless I pay close
attention, I skip fields because I hit tab to move to the next field.
Autotab breaks my behavior model for interacting with forms.

Also, If you hit enter in a form, the submit button is generally fired. I
have seen a few forms where you must explicitly tab into (focus) a submit
button in order to hit enter on it, but those are very few.

Jumping to the first field of a form (skipping title, instructions, etc.)
when entering a page seems like poor usability for screen reader users and
keyboard users. You enter a page, you are immediately placed in a form,
when you hit tab you go to the next field. What happened to all the page
navigation? What if I went to the page because it has other information
other than the form? Then as a user, I must exit the form, reorient myself
to the page, and now I can complete my task. That's a hassle.

Jim

On Thu, May 28, 2015 at 12:27 PM, Phill Jenkins <pjenkins@us.ibm.com> wrote:

> I would not label this as "auto-tabbing", but simply optimized keyboard
> navigation.  We all want a better user experience.
>
> Example scenario: so placing the input focus in an input field when the
> page loads is a best practice because all users can simply begin typing and
> the input filed will receive the keystrokes, no extra tabbing or arrow keys
> needed, or gestures required = better user experience.  If the a user wants
> the label to be spoken as well, then that is an AT setting or configuration
> since WCAG already has the provision for associating the label with the
> input field.  After the user types the input and then presses enter (or
> SpaceBar) it would also be a best practice for the web page/app to move the
> input focus to the next input element in the form.  Note that I do not
> consider that auto-tabbing since the focus only moves after the user
> presses enter to complete the input step.
>
> What some call auto-scanning, as is typical for AT the allows
> auto-scanning of on screen keyboards is useful for some, but not all user
> with disabilities.  So  auto-scanning should be user or AT configurable.  I
> would rarely (never?) recommend that the web app developer provide the
> auto-scanning since it could (would?) conflict with the platform or more
> commonly, the user's AT settings.
>
> ____________________________________________
> Regards,
> Phill Jenkins,
> IBM Accessibility
>
>
>
> From:        Léonie Watson <lwatson@paciellogroup.com>
> To:        "'Wishnew, Mary '" <mary.wishnew@citi.com>, "'IG - WAI
> Interest Group List list'" <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
> Date:        05/28/2015 11:26 AM
> Subject:        RE: Auto-Tabbing - Is this ever allowed?
> ------------------------------
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Wishnew, Mary [mailto:mary.wishnew@citi.com <mary.wishnew@citi.com>]
>
> Sent: 28 May 2015 16:41
>
> I have worked in the past with a reputable Third Party Accessibility
> Vendor that has advised auto-tabbing should never be allowed for a form
> with input fields such as an online application.  The application would
> have multiple input fields such as First Name, Last Name, Address, phone
> number, SSN, etc.  I realize that if the user isn't advised the form will
> auto tab they can end up multiple fields down the form instead of moving to
> the next field as they don't realize the form has auto-tabbed.
>
> <SNIPPED>
>
> The development team wants to add auto-tabbing back into the application
> form.  What is the industry best practice?  I would like to get input from
> those on the list about auto-tabbing. I am receiving significant push back
> to add this tabbing back into the form and would like to advise accurately.
>
> Speaking as a screen reader/keyboard user, I strongly dislike having
> auto-tab functionality imposed on me. It is unexpected, and based on a
> flawed assumption that it is helpful.
>
> It's worth noting that it takes me more time and effort to correct
> mistakes caused by auto-tab, than it does to move focus for myself.
>
> Léonie.
>
> --
> Léonie Watson - Senior accessibility engineer
> @LeonieWatson @PacielloGroup PacielloGroup.com
>
>
>
>
>
>


--
[image: http://www.tsbvi.edu] <http://www.tsbvi.edu>Jim Allan,
Accessibility Coordinator & Webmaster
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