Creating Accessible Content > Specifying basic accessibility > Choosing names for buttons, text fields, and entire movies

 

Choosing names for buttons, text fields, and entire movies

When you have a button or input text field that doesn't have a label, or when your label is in a location that the Flash Player labeling rules can't detect, it's a good idea to specify a name for the button or text field. You can also specify a name if you have text in a label position near a button or text field, but you don't want that text to be used as that object's name.

Sometimes it's useful to provide a name for your entire Flash movie. If you do, a screen reader will probably read it aloud. However, often it is sufficient just to name all of the accessible objects inside the movie.

Note: An object's accessibility name is unrelated to the ActionScript instance name or ActionScript variable name associated with the object. For information on instance names and variable names, see Understanding the ActionScript Language.

 
To specify a name for a button, text field, or entire movie:

1

Do one of the following:

To provide a name for a button or text field, select the object on the Stage.

To provide a name for an entire movie, deselect all objects on the Stage.

2

Do one of the following:

Choose Window > Property inspector if the inspector is not visible. In the Property inspector, click the Accessibility button.

Choose Window > Accessibility.

3

In the Accessibility panel, make sure that Make Object Accessible (for buttons or text fields) or Make Movie Accessible (for entire movies) is selected (the default setting).

4

Enter a name for the button, text field, or movie in the Name text box.