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  • National Disability Authority
  1. Home
  2. Communications & Digital
  3. Web and Mobile Accessibility
  4. Web Accessibility Techniques
  5. Developer's Introduction and Index
  6. Ensure Custom Widgets are accessible
  7. Make sure login and authentication processes are accessible

Make sure login and authentication processes are accessible

Remembering usernames and passwords, or passing authentication tests can be difficult, especially for users with cognitive impairments. Many sites treat incorrect logins as security threats, and genuine users experiencing difficulty logging in can be locked out of their accounts.

Ensuring that logins are accessible, and appropriate authentication options are provided for users with access needs, means that all users can access your services as intended.

  • Tecniques
  • Examples of good practice
  • Further good practice
  • References
  • Web Accessibility Techniques

    • Design accessible digital content - introduction and index
    • Content Provider's Introduction and Index
    • Developer's Introduction and Index

      • Provide an accessible page structure and layout
      • Design accessible navigation
      • Ensure images, video and audio are accessible to everyone
      • Keep tables and data representation simple
      • Provide accessible forms
      • Ensure Custom Widgets are accessible
        • Make carousels accessible
        • Create accessible accordions
        • Create accessible modal dialogues
        • Make sure login and authentication processes are accessible

        • Ensure embedded social media code is accessible
      • Code according to best practices
      • Use ARIA appropriately
      • Always test your site with users who have access needs

    Techniques

    Allow users to copy-paste details into username and password fields

    • Allow users to use external references for their details, either as an aid to memory, or to avoid transcription errors;
    • Allow users to enter in data from documents on their computer or password managers.

    Provide users with a method to authenticate that does not involve a password

    • In cases where users cannot remember their password, provide an option to login using a link sent to their email address.

    Code input fields with the appropriate ‘type’

    Password fields should have a type of ‘password’; number field should have a type of ‘number’. Providing the correct input type allows operating systems and assistive technology to provide the correct method input (for example, the numerical keyboard) and output (for example, masking password fields), and to prefill fields where that data is available (for example,  browser- or OS-remembered email and password combinations)

    When using multi-factor authentication

    • ensure users are given advance warning of the requirement and time window;
    • ensure enough time is provided for users to verify without requiring a new code – if short time windows are required for security, provide an accessible alternative (for example, sending a link to the registered email address to bypass);
    • Allow users with access requirements to be added to an exceptions list for multi-factor authentication.

    Provide alternatives to CAPTCHA

    • Users with visual impairments may not be able to use image-based CAPTCHA elements to authenticate themselves, because they are not able to perceive the images themselves.
    • Users with cognitive impairments may not be able to understand how to interpret the representations of characters in an image-based CAPTCHA.

    Provide a text-based alternative to images-based CAPTCHA. If you are able to, use a CAPTCHA system based on a simple instruction instead, such as the checking of a checkbox. Wherever possible, do not use CAPTCHAs at all.

    Avoid culturally-specific CAPTCHAs

    • If possible, avoid requiring users to identify objects that are specific to one cultural context or have regional differences in appearance, for example, asking British users to identify images of 'crosswalks' may be a barrier, because ‘crosswalk’ is an American term.

    Examples of good practice

    Default keyboard for alpha-numeric input

    Mobile screen with a "Name" input. The default keyboard is displayed.
    Figure 1

     

    <input type="text" />

    Input type of number to trigger the numeric keyboard

    Mobile screen with a "Phone number" input. The numeric keyboard is displayed.
    Figure 2

    <input type="number" />

    Input type of password to mask the characters in the form field

    Include ‘Show/Hide password’ functionality

    Mobile screen with a "Password" input. The characters in the input field are masked.
    Figure 3

     

    <input type="password" />

    Input type of email to trigger the email keyboard layout

    Mobile screen with a "Email" input. The email keyboard is displayed.
    Figure 4

     

    <input type="email" />

    Further good practice

    • WCAG Technique G218: Email Link Authentication 

    References

    WCAG 2.1

    • 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A) 
    • 1.3.4 Identify Input Purpose (AA)

    EN 301 549 v 2.1.2

    • 9.1.3.1 Info and Relationships
    • 9.1.3.4 Identify Input Purpose
  • About Universal Design
  • Definition and Overview of Universal Design (UD)
  • History of Universal Design
  • Benefits and Drivers
  • Policy and Legislation
  • Standards
  • Universal Design of Products and Services
  • Universal Design Approach
  • Awards
  • The 7 Principles
  • News & Events
  • Overview of Built Environment
  • eLearning Module - Buildings for Everyone: Central Bank of Ireland
  • Building for Everyone
  • Housing
  • Early Learning and Care Settings
  • Residential Long Term Care Settings for Older People
  • Walkability Auditing
  • Shared Space
  • Shared Educational Campuses
  • Universal Design Guidelines for Changing Places Toilets
  • Built Environment CPD
  • Overview of Communications & Digital
  • Web and Mobile Accessibility
  • ICT Research and Guidelines (Archived content)
  • Customer Communications Toolkit for Services to the Public - A Universal Design Approach
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