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The primary method is to use another cursor, such as the JAWS cursor or invisible cursor. How might a screen reader user access this sort of text?
#CHECK BOXES IN WORD PC#
Also, if the end user cannot visually see the text, or move to the text with the normal PC cursor, she may not even know it exists, so the author of the form should somehow make that clear. In order to read text that is outside of controls, since there is no blinking document cursor allowed there, the end user must have the ability, and the knowledge to use other methods to read that text. Users normally navigate from field to field by pressing TAB or SHIFT+TAB.
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The only area where an input cursor is permitted is in edit boxes or other controls. That is by design, to keep anything in the form from being modified. The PC cursor cannot access the text that is considered instructional, or for which is there for layout of the form, such as headings. The user can only move the blinking PC cursor from one control or edit box to another. In this type of form, the entire document is protected. This is perhaps the most common type of "accessible" form. Instructions Embedded within the Protected Area of the Form
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#CHECK BOXES IN WORD HOW TO#
Both methods require the end user to have some knowledge of how to navigate the form, and this varies with each method. Alternatively, consider putting instructions in a separate document to be sent along with the form.Īside from putting text in a separate document, there are two methods of putting text outside of the Word form controls. Text and instructions outside of form controls can be more easily read in an HTML form than in a Word form. If you have a lot of text or instructions you might want to consider creating an accessible HTML form instead of a Word form. This may include instructions on how to fill out the form, headings, disclaimers, etc. The Customize Ribbon dialog box closes, focus returns to the document area, and the Developer tab is now shown on the upper part of the ribbon just to the right of the View tab.Ī form may have extra text that is not directly related to entering data.
#CHECK BOXES IN WORD SOFTWARE#
The Add-Help Text that appears on the status bar each time focus moves into a field makes these forms readily accessible by a person who is blind or who has low vision using JAWS® screen reading software or MAGic® screen magnification software. With the instructions below, you can develop easy-to-use forms in Microsoft® Word 2003, 2007, and 2010. Accessible Forms in Microsoft Word Creating Accessible Forms in Microsoft Word Introduction
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