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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. Provide accessible forms

Provide accessible forms

When asking users for information, much is open to interpretation. We can help users complete forms quickly, easily and accurately, by providing clear, accurate instructions and by making helpful suggestions when errors happen.

oorly implemented forms can be a significant barrier for users with impairments but if you work as team and follow these guidelines you should be able to create forms that are highly usable and highly accessible.

  • In this section
  • References for this section
  • Videos
  • Further reading

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

      • Provide simple forms with sensible grouping and clearly labelled elements
      • Provide instructions and help users recover from errors
    • Ensure Custom Widgets are accessible
    • Code according to best practices
    • Use ARIA appropriately
    • Always test your site with users who have access needs

In this section

  • Provide simple forms with sensible grouping and clearly labelled elements
  • Provide instructions and help users recover from errors

References for this section

WCAG 2.1

  • 1.1.1 Non-text Content (A)
  • 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A)
  • 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable (A)
  • 2.4.6 Headings and Labels (AA)
  • 2.5.3 Label in Name (A)
  • 3.1.5 Reading Level (AAA)
  • 3.2.2 On Input (A)
  • 3.3.1 Error Identification (A)
  • 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (A)
  • 3.3.3 Error Suggestion (AA)
  • 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) (AA)
  • 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (A)

EN 301 549 v 2.1.2

  • 9.1.1.1 Non-text Content
  • 9.1.3.1 Info and Relationships
  • 9.2.2.1 Timing Adjustable
  • 9.2.4.6 Headings and Labels
  • 9.2.5.3 Label in Name
  • 9.3.2.2 On Input
  • 9.3.3.1 Error Identification
  • 9.3.3.2 Labels or Instructions
  • 9.3.3.3 Error Suggestion
  • 9.3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)
  • 9.4.1.2 Name, Role, Value

Videos 

  • W3C Perspectives – Notifications and Feedback 
  • Improving Form Usability and Accessibility - Aquent Gymnasium

Further reading

  • 7 Rules of Using Radio Buttons vs Drop-Down Menus by Saadia Minhas
  • 5 most annoying website features I face as a blind person every single day
  • Readability (Yale University)
  • Simple form validation using ARIA
  • 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
  • European Accessibility Act
  • Overview of Education
  • Primary Level Education
  • Secondary Level Education
  • Third Level Education
  • Continuous Professional Development
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  • Copyrights
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
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The National Disability Authority (NDA) is the independent statutory body that provides information and advice to Government on policy and practice relevant to the lives of persons with disabilities. The NDA assists in the co-ordination of disability policy, and also promotes Universal Design through the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design.

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