RE: Do Screen Readers compensate For Forms Accessibility?

Accessible PDF forms require more than just tooltips on the fields.
1.	The tooltips must replicate what's in the visible label, and
sometimes, when necessary, include additional information for those using
screen readers.
2.	The tag tree structure must be accurate with the <Form> tag nested
inside the <P> that contains the visible label.   The field's OBJR
annotation must also be nested inside the <Form> tag. Example:
<P> Address (the visible label)
               <Form>
                              <address-OBJR>
3.	The Tag Tree reading order must be correct and logical.
4.	And the TAB reading order as well. It's used when screen reader
users navigate from field to field.
 
Considering the greater accessibility of the form for all users, it must be
designed to make it easy to understand what data is requested and be
organized in a readable, understandable visual design.
 
-Bevi Chagnon
 
Bevi Chagnon |  <mailto:bevi.chagnon@PubCom.com> bevi.chagnon@PubCom.com
Member, ISO Committees for PDF & PDF/UA Standards
Adobe Community Expert
Media Designer, Author, Trainer, and Consultant
 
PubCom.com
Technologists for Accessible Design + Publishing
MS Office - Adobe InDesign & Acrobat - Editorial & Design - A11y Publishing
Workflow
 
From: Jim Homme <jhomme@benderconsult.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 2:44 PM
To: Wai Interest Group (w3c-wai-ig@w3.org) <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Subject: PDF: Do Screen Readers compensate For Forms Accessibility?
 
Hi,
I can't share this document, but we think it's tagged improperly for forms.
My understanding is that if you fill in the tooltips for the fields, that is
correct for making the document accessible for a form. I didn't pick up
problems on the form using JAWS or NVDA in Adobe Reader.
 
Thanks.
 
Jim
 
==========
Jim Homme: He, Him, His
Senior Digital Accessibility Consultant
IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies.
JAWS Certified
Know someone with a disability looking for a great job? Send them here:
<https://benderconsult.com/jobs/> https://benderconsult.com/jobs/
Help end the shame of the stigma of mental health disabilities.
<https://benderleadership.org/notashamed/>
https://benderleadership.org/notashamed/
 
Bender Consulting Services, Inc.
1005 Beaver Grade Rd, Suite 220
Moon Township, PA 15108
412-787-8567