RE: [SEC508] "New" use of title attribite for a link

["Jim Thatcher" <jim@jimthatcher.com>]

Hi Larry,

> I’m well aware of the use of the "title" attribute in the <a> tag to
> include a meaningful description as in the following example.
> <a title="this link starts myFunction"
>  href="javascript:myFunction();"><img src="myFunction.gif"></a>

There is a problem with your example. The <img> element must have the alt
attribute like this:
  <a href="javascript:myFunction();">
  <img src="myFunction.gif" alt="start myFunction"></a>

The alt is required on the <img> tag and should say what the function is,
not in a declarative sentence, but just the function. So when a question
mark icon opens a help document, the alt text should be "help", not "link to
help" or "this opens help document". 

Then on the title attribute; best practice here is dictated in part by the
way screen readers work. JAWS in particular has a setting to read either the
title text, the link text (in this case that would be the alt-text), or the
longer of the two. So when you do use the title on an anchor, make sure it
includes all the information, because both link text and alt-text will not
be announced.

When the title attribute is used to provide more information about something
where link text is short like on a travel site there are dozens of hotels
listed on a page, with their nightly rates, and for each a link "hotel
details". The information is inadequate when the link is read out of context
(like in a links list), so each of these anchors should have a title like
"Marriott Orlando details". 

Jim
 
Accessibility Consulting: http://jimthatcher.com/
512-306-0931
-----Original Message-----
From: sec508-admin@trace.wisc.edu [mailto:sec508-admin@trace.wisc.edu] On
Behalf Of LGHull@aol.com
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2005 10:32 AM
To: sec508@trace.wisc.edu
Subject: [SEC508] "New" use of title attribite for a link

I'm well aware of the use of the "title" attribute in the <a> tag to include
a meaningful description as in the following example.
<a title="this link starts myFunction" href="javascript:myFunction();"><img
src="myFunction.gif"></a>
As this tag is supported by some but not all assistive technologies, the
Access Board has recommended authors also use the "alt" attribute in the
enclosed image.
Now I'm starting to see instances where the title attribute is used with the
repetitive appearance of the same text, not an image, used as a link as in
the following example.
<a title="text description or name of a site" href="go_to_some_page"> + view
site </a>
In short, the differing title attribute text is all that distinguishes
several of these "view site" links.
Admittedly there is text associated with these repetitious text links that
also provides the name and/or a description of the site.
However, to me this is just the old "click here" problem with the addition
of a title attribute.
It works if (1) the assistive technology supports title, perhaps as an
option, and (2) the option to read title is turned on.
Has the Access Board considered this usage? 
Should this usage be considered Section 508 compliant?
Regards,
Larry Hull