The Title Attribute and JAWS


Designing a website and got a form element that you don't want to add a label tag too? To make sure adaptive software like JAWS won't label your form elements as "Untitled" use the title attribute.

Examples

My idea for the following example came from www.FanFiction.Net

Here's the HTML

<select name="ex1">
<option value=1>Rating: All</option>
<option value=2>> 1,000</option>
<option value=3>> 5,000</option>
<option value=4>> 10,000</option>
</select>

When JAWS lists the form field it will call it "Untitled# - option" where number corresponds to the nth encountered untitled item and option is the selected menu item.

The following box, while it does not look different visually, is tagged correctly.

Here's the HTML

<select name="ex1" title="Rating Selection">
<option value=1>Rating: All</option>
<option value=2>> 1,000</option>
<option value=3>> 5,000</option>
<option value=4>> 10,000</option>
</select>

When JAWS lists the form field it will call it "Rating Selection - option" where option is the selected menu item.

Notes

I have used JAWS 5.0 and later to develop these instructions; if you have an older version these instructions may or may not be accurate.

Drop down lists are not the only form elements that can use the title attribute, it is simply what I chose to use for the example.

Websites

Freedom Scientific: www.FreedomScientific.com

Felgall Internet - Displaying HTML Source Code in Web Pages: www.felgall.com/htmlt47.htm

Author Contact

Please direct any questions, comments, thoughts, suggestions or corrections to the author at Jake@JBrownell.com

Disclaimer

All Scripts, Tips and Tricks are provided on an "AS IS" basis without any implied garrentee. User assumes all responsibility for management of his or her software and its associated components.

All trademarks, brands, product names, etc. mentioned belong to either Freedom Scientific or their respective owners, no claim of ownership is made.

Copyright 2005 J. A. Brownell

Last Updated July 25, 2005


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