RE: Accessible Forms In Microsoft Word

  • From: "Chip Orange" <Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 09:50:00 -0400

The problem isn't really in making Word forms accessible, there's very
little extra work to be done to be sure a form is accessible (as you can
see from the instructions that someone posted here that FS wrote up on
their web site as a TSN).

However, learning to use the Word form designer well is not really an
exercise for the beginning Word user.  I'd class it more as an advanced
Word user feature, because it takes a lot of knowledge to design a
document in such a way that it will both print properly as a blank
printed form, act as a form for data entry, and not allow the user to
enter too much data or the improper data in any field that will cause
the form to misprint.  You also have to take into consideration the
differences in printers available to different users when they go to
print the form.

Not all of this can be learned by just reading the chapter on the form
designer from a book on Word, a lot of it is underlying Word knowledge
you really need, and I'm afraid once in a while, you'll need to know
some VBA programming to write macros to make your form act properly
(this is the only way for instance, to gaurantee that the end user only
checks one of a group of many possible check boxes).=20

> -----Original Message-----
> From: jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=20
> [mailto:jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Julie Warrington
> Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 6:20 PM
> To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: Accessible Forms In Microsoft Word
>=20
> If no one else minds, I would be interested  in learning how=20
> to make these also, so if the list doesn't mind , I would=20
> like to follow this through also.  If you need to send=20
> privately, send to jdwtlc@xxxxxxx thanks.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Therese Gardner" <thewhitecane2@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 6:38 AM
> Subject: RE: Accessible Forms In Microsoft Word
>=20
>=20
> > Yes, if you could send a form I think that would be helpful.
> > Please send to
> >
> > thewhitecane2@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Therese
> >
> > On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 16:13:21 -0400, Carmichael Kimberly J -=20
> CS wrote:
> >
> > >I have never created these forms myself, but I can send=20
> you a form that
> > >somebody created for me if you'd like to take a look at=20
> it.  Basically I
> tab
> > >from field to field, and because the help information is=20
> in the status
> bar I
> > >hear what each field is when I tab.
> > >
> > >Kim Carmichael
> > >Atlanta Wage & Investment
> > ><mailto: kimberly.j.carmichael@xxxxxxx>
> > >Phone:  678-530-7005
> > >
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> Behalf
> > >Of Therese Gardner
> > >Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 8:27 AM
> > >To: jfw@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > >Subject: RE: Accessible Forms In Microsoft Word
> > >
> > >
> > >Hello Kim:
> > >I will attempt to make this as clear as I can.
> > >
> > >Edit fields don't seem readily accessible. I never know=20
> when I am in one.
> It
> > >is not like pressing enter on a edit field on the
> > >web. to open up the field.
> > >
> > >The isntructions tell me to use "tab" or "shift tab" to=20
> move between the
> > >edit boxes. When I do this, I am simply moving
> > >through the document moving text around as I go. I do have=20
> the protect
> mode
> > >on.
> > >
> > >Also, my combo and drop down boxes don't seem to show up=20
> on the screne
> > >either.
> > >
> > >I am obviously doing something wrong.
> > >
> > >Any suggestions. I have dumped what I have created and am=20
> starting from
> > >scratch again.
> > >
> > >Thanks
> > >Therese
> > >
> > >On Mon, 23 Aug 2004 14:52:48 -0400, Carmichael Kimberly J=20
> - CS wrote:
> > >
> > >>You can most definitely create an accessible Word form that can be
> > >>filled out by other people while in Word.  They don't=20
> have to be on the
> > >>internet to work.  What exactly is happening once you've=20
> done the form
> > >>that is keeping it from working?
> > >>
> > >>Kim Carmichael
> > >>Atlanta Wage & Investment
> > >><mailto: kimberly.j.carmichael@xxxxxxx>
> > >>Phone:  678-530-7005
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>-----Original Message-----
> > >>From: jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=20
> [mailto:jfw-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
> > >>Behalf Of Therese Gardner
> > >>Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 7:48 AM
> > >>To: Listserve
> > >>Subject: Accessible Forms In Microsoft Word
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>OK, got another question for you guys.
> > >>
> > >>I am attempting to create an accessible form in microsoft word. I
> > >>actually found instructions on how to do this on the=20
> Freedom Scientific
> > >>web site. Instructions appear to be very clear and easy to follow.
> > >>
> > >>My problem seems to be when attempting to fill out the=20
> form. I am not
> > >>sure how to explain the difficulty. It is not like opening an edit
> > >>field on a web page to fill out.
> > >>
> > >>May be I am missunderstanding the purpose of creating the forms in
> > >>microsoft word. I am assuming that I can create them and=20
> save them in
> > >>word. I can then go back and have others fill in the=20
> information using
> > >>word and JAWS.
> > >>
> > >>A friend doesn't believe that this is the purpose of creating an
> > >>accessible form. His thoughts are that you can make it=20
> acessible in
> > >>word, but then you need to put it on a web page for=20
> others to access.
> > >>
> > >>Any thoughts on the subject?
> > >>
> > >>Is there a better way to create an accessible form in word?
> > >>
> > >>I don't always have the ability to connect to the=20
> internet to access
> > >>forms.
> > >>
> > >>Thanks for all the help.
> > >>
> > >>Therese
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>accessbile
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>--
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