This resource is designed for anyone eager to master digital accessibility. Explore WCAG success criteria through clear, easy-to-understand descriptions. We owe a special "hat tip" to Johannes Lehner’s WCAG Card Deck, which served as the inspiration for this project.
We plan to expand this library over time, so please check back regularly for updates.
21 success criteria found for Forms theme
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS SENSORY WORDING
Instructions and descriptions must not rely on sensory features alone, like color, shape, size, visual location, or sound.
Always provide additional text to clarify meaning.
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS SENSORY
Time limits must be avoided unless essential for the task (e.g. exams, auctions). If time limits are used, it must be possible to:
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS FORMS
The visible text of a button, link, or form field must also be part of its accessible (programmatic) name.
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS FORMS KEYBOARD
No unexpected changes must happen when a field value changes (like auto-submit, reload, open new page).
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS WORDING
Errors and validation must be clearly identified and described in text, not just visually (like color or highlighting).
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS FORMS
Form fields must have clear labels or instructions to avoid confusion and help complete the input correctly.
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS
Don't ask for the same information twice in the same process.
Provide pre-filled fields or selection options if the information was already given.
Level Level A, WCAG principle: Robust
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS FORMS KEYBOARD
Interactive elements must have:
so that assistive technologies can interpret and interact with them correctly.
Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS
The purpose of common form fields (like name, email, or address) must be defined in the code so that browsers and assistive technologies can offer input support, such as autocomplete.
Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS WORDING
Errors and validation messages must show text that:
Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS WORDING
Important forms like a legal agreement or submitting financial information offer the opportunity to check the information entered before sending.
Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS
Authentication must not rely on memory alone.
Allow copy-paste, password managers, or other options (like email verification).
Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Robust
Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS FORMS
Status updates (like "form sent" or "5 items in cart") must:
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Perceivable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS
The purpose of regions and common elements must be defined in the code using semantic HTML or ARIA attributes, so that:
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS SENSORY
Content must not include time limits for reading or interaction, unless it's part of a live event or time-based activity (e.g. auctions, broadcasts).
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS
If a logged-in session expires mid-way through a task, any data entered after expiry is kept, so that they don’t have to re-enter it when they log in again.
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS
A warning is shown if a logged-in session is about to expire.
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS KEYBOARD
Major changes (like open dialog, navigate, submit) must only happen when explicitly requested.
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS WORDING
Provide additional help (like text instructions, help links, or tooltips) when label alone might be ambiguous or confusing.
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS WORDING
Before submitting, all forms must allow:
Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Understandable
Assigned to the following themes: FORMS
Authentication must not rely on memory or recognition (like solving puzzles, remembering images, or using CAPTCHAs).