Hi,
(Apologies for the re-post, thought this might have been buried under
the flurry of CSS queries.)
Currently there seem to be a few different approaches (with regional
variation) to marking up a simple search form.
-Search for [Input field] [Button: Go]
-[Input field: Text: Search for...] [Button: Go]
-[Input field] [Button: Search]
The above approaches seem ok for sighted users.
The issue I've come across is when the search form also enables the
scope to be limited to a section of a website. In such a case I tend
to build more of a composite sentence from the input elements:
-Search [Select: Scope/Section names] for [Input field] [Button: Go]
The issue is labelling the input field. Although accessibility sites
such as WebAim markup the text 'Search' as the label for the input
field, 'Search' does not describe the nature of the input? On the
WebAim site 'Search' is used as the label for the input field on one
search form [1] AND as the label for the search scope on another [2].
[1] < http://www.webaim.org >
[2] < http://www.webaim.org/siteindex >
Compare the relationship between the label and field for another
common example:
Surname [Input field]
Here the user is expected to enter their surname into the field.
Perhaps a more appropriate label for the search input field would be
'keyword'? Or is the general consensus that 'Search' is accepted
shorthand for 'I want to find...' or 'term to search for'?
I'm also attempting to track down some references on how screen
readers negotiate (non-Javascript) select elements. Is it preferable
to associate a label with the select, or use the first option in the
select as the label.
Label: Limit search to: [Select menu]
or...
[Begin select
*Limit search to*
-Entire website (selected)
-Corporate info
-Glossary
-Guides
-News
End select]
Any screen reader users out there who would like to add their 2
cents/pence/pesos?
Best regards,
--
Andy Kirkwood | Creative Director
Motive | web.design.integrity
http://www.motive.co.nz
ph: (04) 3 800 800 fx: (04) 970 9693
mob: 021 369 693
93 Rintoul St, Newtown
PO Box 7150, Wellington South, New Zealand
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