When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using assistive technology to access the information, field elements and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues.
Rationale
Electronic forms are used by many software programs to gather information from users such as those used for online product registration and updates. The accessibility of the electronic form depends on proper coding of the controls so the information is exposed to screen readers.
Development techniques
The following techniques are the minimum required to meet Checkpoint 2.4 from the IBM Software Accessibility Checklist:
- Provide keyboard equivalents for all actions.
- Provide a visual focus indicator that moves among interactive objects as the input focus changes. The focus must be programmatically exposed to assistive technology.
- Provide semantic information about user interface objects.
- Associate labels with controls, objects, icons and images.
- Provide text through standard system function calls or through an API which supports interaction with assistive technology.
- Use color as an enhancement, not as the only way to convey information or indicate an action.
- Provide an option to adjust the response times on timed instructions, or allow the instructions to persist.
Testing techniques
Test the software to ensure that it complies with accessibility requirements.
Techniques
Use the following techniques to verify this checkpoint:
| Test keyboard navigation using the required test techniques for checkpoint 1.1 - keyboard equivalents. |
| Test visual focus using the required test techniques for checkpoint 2.1 - visual focus indicator. |
| Verify that semantic information is provided for objects using the required test techniques for checkpoint 2.2 - object information. |
| Verify that labels are associated with controls, objects, icons, and images using the required test techniques for checkpoint 2.3 - labels. |
| Test text using the required test techniques for checkpoint 4.1 - text. |
| Verify that color is used only as an enhancement using the required test techniques for checkpoint 4.2 - color. |
| Test all timed responses using the required test techniques for checkpoint 5.1 - response times. |
©2001, 2008 IBM Corporation
Last updated April 4, 2008.