Problem:

Some HTML pages include forms constructs. At the present time it is difficult for screen readers and some browsers to handle some forms elements. Further research is being conducted in this area.

Solution strategies in the future

In the future, features within the browsers will allow users to display forms elements in a way that screen readers can access them.

Solutions today

For now the best idea would be to provide a form which can be downloaded then mailed or e-mailed, or a phone number someone can call to provide the requested information. To make edit boxes accessible by users viewing pages with screen readers, some sites are experimenting with place holding information in edit boxes, like short descriptions or cues, so that screen readers can detect the presence of the edit boxes.

(Additional, more specific information on both the problems and strategies for different browsers will follow for this area.)

Please send comments and suggestions to: web-team@trace.wisc.edu