Creating Accessible Content: Forms

Forms should be easy for everyone to use. Clear labels, helpful instructions and accessible error messages support assistive technologies and improve usability for all users.

When forms are designed with accessibility in mind, they are easier to understand, complete and submit across a range of devices and technologies.

Who Is Responsible?

Anyone who creates, edits or distributes forms for instruction, communication, marketing or other university purposes is responsible for helping ensure those forms are accessible.

What Standards Must Be Met?

All forms should align with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA and support the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

What to Do

Use the following best practices to help ensure forms are accessible to all users.

• Clear labels: Every form field must have a visible, descriptive label that clearly identifies what information is required.
• Instructions: Provide clear instructions at the beginning of the form and near complex or required fields.
• Error messages: Use clear, specific error messages that explain what went wrong and how to fix it. Do not rely on color alone to indicate errors.
• Programmatic associations: Ensure labels, instructions and error messages are properly associated with their corresponding fields so assistive technologies can interpret them.
• Dynamic updates: Ensure that changes such as validation messages or updates are announced to assistive technologies when possible.
• Logical order: Use a clear and logical tab and reading order that matches the visual layout of the form.

What Tools Are Available?

For testing and evaluation, tools such as the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool can help identify accessibility issues in web-based forms.

Microsoft Forms

Microsoft Forms is commonly used for surveys, quizzes and internal data collection. It supports basic to moderately complex forms.

SurveyMonkey

SurveyMonkey is used for surveys and feedback collection. Accessibility depends on how questions, labels and navigation are structured, so careful setup is important.

Dynamic Forms

Dynamic Forms is used for more complex workflows and form processes. Accessibility depends on proper configuration of fields, labels, instructions and validation. For assistance with Dynamic Forms, contact IT Support.

Support

Support is available to help ensure forms meet accessibility expectations:

• Academic departments: Contact the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) for guidance on instructional forms and student-facing activities
• Administrative departments: Contact Web Operations for guidance on forms used for websites, communications and public-facing services
• Technical support: Contact IT Support for assistance with platforms, systems or form tools, including Dynamic Forms

Training and Resources

• W3C Forms Tutorial
• WebAIM: Creating Accessible Forms
• Microsoft Forms Help & Learning
• SurveyMonkey Accessibility