Accessible Form Checklist

If you have a form on your website which is difficult or frustrating to complete, whether the user is disabled or not, they will not persist, but simply leave your site for another that is easier to use.

This checklist will help you build an accessible, easy to use form which gets the job done and keeps users on your site.

For more practical techniques on how to build usable forms, read Forms For Everyone.

Using native or default controls
Any custom components are accessible
HTML5 components have been used where possible
Every field has a label
Instructions are next to every field where needed
Checkboxes and radio buttons are grouped logically
Required fields are clearly labelled
Error messages are immediate
Success message is clear upon submission
Form can be tabbed through and completed using only a keyboard
Any time constraints are generous and users can save their progress
Field IDs stick to naming conventions to aid autocomplete
CAPTCHA has been carefully chosen or alternative authentication used
Forms are consistent across the whole site
Forms have been tested by a diverse group of users
Dynamic form errors and success messages are announced to assistive technologies