[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #34881: Invalid HTML around the input field for searching themes

[WordPress Trac]

#34881: Invalid HTML around the input field for searching themes
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 Reporter:  takayukister    |       Owner:  adamsilverstein
     Type:  enhancement     |      Status:  assigned
 Priority:  normal          |   Milestone:  Awaiting Review
Component:  Themes          |     Version:  4.3
 Severity:  normal          |  Resolution:
 Keywords:  good-first-bug  |     Focuses:  ui, accessibility, javascript
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Comment (by iamjolly):

 Technically, this is OK. Having input elements outside of form elements
 should pass W3C validation.

 However, I understand the concern. Potentially, having the label, input,
 and submit elements outside of a containing form element, in essence, goes
 against the "Robust" principle of web accessibility. Specifically, the
 guideline pertaining to this issue is a Level A guideline. Emphasis is
 mine:

 4.1.1 Parsing: In content implemented using markup languages, elements
 have complete start and end tags, '''''elements are nested according to
 their specifications''''', elements do not contain duplicate attributes,
 and any IDs are unique, except where the specifications allow these
 features. (Level A)

 The main concern is this: when HTML elements are not used in the
 recommended way, user agents may render them in unexpected ways. It can
 also become a problem for compatibility with older or even future
 browsers, devices, or other software.

 Here are links to this guideline for 4.1.1:
 http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/#robust and the W3C's recommendation for
 forms: http://www.w3.org/TR/html5/forms.html#forms

 Since this doesn't exactly map to a true validation issue, it can be left
 as-is. However, I'd recommend enhancing these inputs to have a form
 wrapper for compatability when, say, JavaScript issues occur or a user has
 their JS disabled. That way, you can explicitly give an address for the
 input to submit to.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/34881#comment:3>
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