Forms

Access barriers
Guidelines for overcoming access barriers
Activity

Forms are generally used to enable users to send information to the server hosting the site. This may be to trigger some action, for example to send an email or add the sender's details to a database.

Access barriers

Users with a vision impairment are not able to access poorly labelled forms that cannot be tabbed through in a logical sequence.

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Guidelines for overcoming access barriers

1. Associate form labels with their elements by placing them immediately above or to the left of the element. FORMS EXAMPLE 1
2. Provide only one text entry box per line or per table row.FORMS EXAMPLE 2
3. Use ALT text to describe the function of any graphical buttons which may have been used. FORMS EXAMPLE 3
4. Use the <LABEL> tag to connect the form element and its label. FORMS EXAMPLE 4
5. Enable forms to be emailed, or downloaded and filled in and then sent by fax or post. FORMS EXAMPLE 5
6. Consider providing a phone number for users to call for assistance.
7. Ensure a logical tab order through form controls. FORMS EXAMPLE 7
8. Consider keyboard shortcuts for moving to different fields. FORMS EXAMPLE 8
9. Do not use automatic form submissions or auto-jumps with drop-down lists. Include a button for form submission and drop-down lists. FORMS EXAMPLE 9

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Activity

If forms are part of your website, use the checklist below to assess any accessibility barriers that may be present. If you have ticked 'no' for any item, go to the Guidelines for how to overcome this barrier.

Using forms

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1. Form labels are associated with their elements by placing them immediately above or to the left of the element.

   Yes No N/A

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2. Only one text entry box is provided per line.

   Yes No N/A

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3. ALT text is used to describe the function of any graphical buttons used.

   Yes No N/A

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4. Forms can be emailed or downloaded, filled in and then faxed or mailed.

   Yes No N/A

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5. An assistance phone number is provided.

   Yes No N/A

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6. A logical tab order through form controls is provided.

   Yes No N/A

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7. Keyboard shortcuts for moving to different fields are provided.

   Yes No N/A

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8. A button has been included for form submissions and drop-down lists.

   Yes No N/A

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