Frames
Use frame titles to identify the function of each frame
For visual users, frames on the page are plain to see. Often, a page is split into three frames: a banner frame, a navigation frame, and a content frame. These frames are visually differentiated by their content: the banner is generally graphical, the navigation is generally a list of links, and the content is generally a block of text and images. In addition, the browser divides frames visually via borders and scroll bars. Thus, the purpose and function of each frame is apparent to visual users (see Figure 7.1).
Nonvisual users cannot orient themselves using visual cues. Fortunately, HTML provides a method to communicate the function of each frame to nonvisual users through the TITLE
attribute of the FRAMESET
tag. The frame title is used to describe the frame function: for example, title="banner"
, title="navigation"
, title="content"
. When the frame title is present, software can provide the information so nonvisual users know the current frame and its purpose. When frames are titled, users can jump directly to the desired frame. In general, TITLE
helps nonvisual users navigate between frames without becoming disoriented.