A B B R

Abbreviation

The A B B R tag is contained in the "Title" element and enables assistive technology to substitute text for abbreviations. Although it is not supported by all screen readers or text browsers, it is worthwhile to code the tag in anticipation of its future application. JAWS 5.0 supports this option.

Code Example:

<abbr title="Michigan">MI</abbr>

Browsers

Ignored by all versions of Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer.

Adaptive Technology

Screen readers are inconsistent in how they interpret abbreviations, sometimes pronouncing letters individually and other times pronouncing them phonetically as a group. To be certain that letters will be pronounced individually, either separate them with spaces, for example as "M I" rather than "MI," which will be pronounced "mih," or test them using adaptive technology. An alternative is to put periods after letters, as in "M.I.," in which case the letters will be pronounced "M period I period."

Also, use abbreviations sparingly, and, where appropriate, follow them with full text in parenthesis.