[New Tip] Design tip no5 - Forms and labels title

[dboudreau]

Reference: http://w3c.github.io/wai-quick-start/designing.html#ensure-that-form-elements-include-clearly-associated-labels

The tip title currently reads: "Ensure that form elements include clearly associated labels". I don't like the way this is worded for a couple of reasons:

1. We are using the word "clearly" while in reality, what we probably meant was "programmatically". I understand why we would want to stay away from such a mouthful of a word, but I don't feel that "clearly" conveys the same intent.
2. Assuming we're also suggesting what we consider acceptable/recommendable best practices that may go beyond what a Success Criterion actually requires, I would advocate for asking for a visible label here, even if H65 informs us that sometimes, it's ok to only provide a hidden label.
3. Knowing that implicit labels are also acceptable as per WCAG, I would still prefer to use the word "explicitly", as it conveys the idea of programmatic association a little better than "clearly" does.
4. Another aspect that we're not highlighting strongly enough is the idea of labels and form elements to be in close proximity. My revised title also addresses this.

Based on the arguments above, I propose we change the title of this tip to: "Ensure that visible labels are explicitly associated, and in close proximity of their corresponding form elements".

[nitedog]

Same response as for Issue w3c/wai-website#738 - we agreed not to go beyond WCAG, and prefer not to re-open discussion until we've published the remaining tips first.

[dboudreau]

@nitedog But are we not already sometimes going beyond WCAG in the EasyChecks, or any documents we've created recently like the tutorials? If going beyond WCAG is a bigger issue we don't want to tackle just yet (though I think we should), then I'm willing to back down on suggestion no3, hoping we can still consider suggestions no1, 2 and 4.

[iamjolly]

I'm very much in favor of giving people more clarity (per items 1 and 3 in the original issue comment) about explicit and implicit labels. As it reads now, there is no mention about how to ensure that labels are clearly associated with their input fields. We need to help people understand that as much as possible in this quick tip.

[nitedog]

I think point 2 is also problematic.

[dboudreau]

Well, it is my understanding that SC 3.3.2 implicitly requires a visible label at all times...

[sharronrush]

Hey @dboudreau Same question - is this a topic to resolve at F2f or can this issue be closed?

[dboudreau]

Same question, same answer. ;) Can't really remember much about it now, but that memory of mine can be jogged when we meet. In the meantime, I'm drowning in CSUN preparations. :/