Creating accessible online forms

Abstract

Forms are what make online interactions and transactions possible. Unfortunately, many forms present accessibility barriers to users with disabilities, especially users who are blind or have other visual disabilities. With planning and care, forms can be accessible to all users, including users with disabilities. There are four main steps to creating accessible forms. First, use the correct control type for the interaction. Native HTML elements are best, but if a custom form control is necessary, the interaction must be predictable and accessible. Secondly, each form control must have a clear label that is available to everyone. Thirdly, other important descriptions and instructions must be available to screen reader users. Fourthly, avoid errors if possible, and help users recover from errors if they occur.