Use interim solutions

These checkpoints deal with what to do to help assistive technologies and older browsers work correctly. Basically, if a browser doesn't support a certain piece of accessibility mark-up, how can you work around it?

The checkpoints are:

• Don't make pop-ups or other windows appear and don't change the current window without informing the user [Priority 2]
• Make sure that the label is properly positioned for all form controls with implicitly associated labels [Priority 2]
• Provide a linear text alternative (on the current page or some other) for all tables that lay out text in parallel, word-wrapped columns [Priority 3]
• Include place-holding characters in edit boxes and text areas [Priority 3]
• Include non-link, printable characters (surrounded by spaces) between adjacent links [Priority 3]

Why the checkpoints are important

Some assistive technologies and older browsers may not correctly handle some of the newer web design features or elements, making these capabilities inaccessible. For example, older browsers may not allow users to navigate to empty edit boxes, and older screen readers may read lists of consecutive links as one link.