If the checkbox before the edit field is not ticked, then Jaws skips over the edit area... Logical enough I suppose. The input field is not required, so therefore it is not enabled. If the box is ticked, you are placed in the edit field when you hit tab. It is enabled, and ready to accept your free text. This is a classic usability issue, due to the dynamic content (ironic huh!) it is not clear what is going on to a person accessing the page with Jaws. Labelling might be an answer, but they will have to be carefully worded... Information overload leads to other issues. Cheers! Tony