These are text fields, which are split into two or more fields for the purpose of usability and clarity.
For example, dates include a combination of day, month and year, and are split into three separate fields, with character limitations. A user must fill in dates in the expected format
thus reducing the margin of error. Each text field is used to fill Month, Date and Year separately. The expected format has been specified on the field labels in addition to descriptive titles provided on each text field.
This is a feature provided on composite fields. You do not have to TAB across fields that have "Auto Tab" enabled as the system automatically
tabs you through each field as each field is completed. This feature of automatically moving focus from one text field to another is called "Auto Tab".
All dates are to be entered in the format of MM/DD/YYYY. That is a 2-digit month followed by 2-digit day followed by 4-digit year.
The previously described "Auto Tab" feature also applies to date fields. The "Auto Tab" feature is also applicable to screen reader and keyboard only users.
Appropriately configured screen readers will voice an audible cue for each part of the date fields as "Month 2 digits", "Day 2 digits" and "Year 4 digits", so that you are informed of what is expected to be entered
as you proceed filling the date. Screen reader users must be cautious when modifying a date. When TABBING to a date field, part of the date gets selected and overwritten by the values typed in.
If you TAB to the month field of the date, the 2-digit month would be in selection. Any value typed in by you would delete the existing value. If you do not want to delete the value, but want to modify just part of the digits, press HOME or END key on the keyboard to deselect the value and modify the value as desired.
The Social Security Number is composed of 3 separate text boxes. Since this has composite fields, "Auto Tab" is enabled for these fields. You can enter the first 3 digits of the Social Security Number in the first text box of the Social Security Number.
After the first 3 digits of the Social Security Number are entered, you would be automatically taken to the following text box field where you need to enter the next 2 digits of the Social Security Number. After entering the next 2 digits of the Social Security Number, you would be automatically taken to the next text field
where in you would enter the last 4 digits of the Social Security Number. Screen readers will voice this movement accordingly as "Social Security Number Part 2 - 2 digits", "Social Security Number Part 3 - 4 digits".
You may also use the "List Form Fields" feature on your screen reader to directly jump to each of these fields and edit them individually. Keyboard only and screen reader users are advised to be cautious when modifying Social Security Numbers.
When you TAB to a Social Security Number field, part of the Social Security Number gets selected and overwritten by the values typed in by you. If you TAB to the 2nd part of the Social Security Number field, the part 2 of the Social Security Number would be in selection. Any value typed in by you would delete the existing value.
If you do not want to delete the value but want to modify just part of the digits, press HOME or END key on the keyboard to deselect the value and modify the value as desired.
The Zip Code field consists of 2 composite text boxes. The first text box is where you need to enter your Zip Code and the second text box is
for the optional Zip Code extension. Auto Tab is enabled for these composite fields. So, after you enter the 5-digit Zip Code, cursor focus would automatically go to the Zip Code extension field. There is no need to Tab to the Zip Code extension field.
You will also notice tool tips for each fields as "5-digit zip code" and "4-digit zip code extension". Screen reader users should also hear the same tool tip voiced when TABBING into the Zip Code fields.
These fields also use 3 composite text boxes. Auto Tab is enabled for these fields. Screen reader users will be prompted to enter the "3 digit Area Code" in the first text box, "3 digit Phone Prefix" in the second text box and "4 digit Phone Number" in the last text box.
Within the PA CareerLink® portal drop-down lists are bound together to facilitate quick, drill down access to individual records within large data repositories. Single select drop-down lists are bound together to provide the ability to search a list of sub-categories within a single, higher category. The user selects a category from the first drop-down list. The first drop-down is followed by a GET Button. The naming convention for the GET Buttons in the series of drop-down lists provides key information about the value of options that will be displayed in the next drop-down list. Here’s one example. A first drop-down contains a list of Workforce Partnering Agencies. The GET Button that follows this list is named "Get Programs". When the user selects a Workforce Partnering Agency from the first drop-down list and then presses the Get Program Button that follows, the second or following drop-down list is automatically populated with programs associated with the Partnering Agency (or category) selected on the first drop-down. Thus, the naming of the GET Button provides important information about the available options that will be presented in the drop-down list that follows. In this scenario when a screen reader user selects the Get Program Button, cursor focus generally moves away from the Get Button to the form field that precedes the Get Button. However, after the page reloads the cursor focus of the screen reader does not fall consistently on any particular field. In some instances, the screen reader focus returns to the top of the page. This behavior also varies with different screen reader software.The focus issues described above can be disorienting for screen reader users. The following steps can help screen reader users get reoriented to a page in the event the cursor focus does not behave as expected when using a series of bound together drop-down lists.
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1. Make sure that you take note of which Get Button you select last. With that information, JAWS users can use the FIND command (CTRL + F is the Find key in JAWS) to type in the Button name and navigate directly to the Button. After returning to the Get Button where they began, the JAWS user can then proceed to the next form element and complete the process.
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The JAWS user can also list form fields on a page by using the INSERT + F5 command and
move to the drop-down list where they made the previous selection. The JAWS user can then proceed to the next form element and complete the process.
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Use the CTRL + HOME command to go to the top of the page.
Then use the "Skip to Main Content" link to skip directly to the beginning of the form. Proceed through the form elements until you reach the drop-down list completed before. You can then resume the completion of the form. Caution: Be careful not to jump past the "Skip to main content" link.
This is the first link at the top of the page and can be easily missed if the user TABS or presses the down arrow key quickly.
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