Electronic Forms On-Line

General comments

Electronic Forms

Forms are widely used on Federal Web sites, not only to obtain information, but to facilitate information searches. One of the most widely used types of online form is the search engine, which typically uses a form with a one-line box for the search parameters. Another common forms application is the e-commerce form, where, for example, a user seeking copies of technical publications may be asked to submit name, address, credit card number, and so on.

HTML Forms

In order for an online form rendered in HTML to be accessible, each input element, such as a text box, radio button, or submit button, must be laid out with accessibility in mind. Also, the form's instructions must be presented in an accessible way. Unfortunately, this is not always done. For example, a form may be inaccessible simply because the text label identifying a particular radio button or other screen element does not appear contiguous to the element it describes; and consequently, a person using assistive technology such as a screen reader may not be able to discern which of the buttons the label describes.

Beyond noting that, in general, elements in HTML forms should appear contiguous to their descriptions, it is difficult to give specific guidelines on rendering forms accessible. Perhaps the best way to evaluate the usability of an HTML form is to test it with assistive technology.

Other Online Forms

A number of other types of online forms have been developed to overcome HTML's limited ability to control page layout. For example, HTML forms cannot be used where an online form is required to look exactly like its paper counterpart, because the appearance of HTML forms will vary slightly depending upon the user's computer hardware and software. Non-HTML forms designed to be completed and submitted online are used with plug-ins or special third-party software. The accessibility challenges of plug-ins and other programmatic elements is addressed in Rule L and m.

If a form cannot be designed so that it will permit users of assistive technology to access all the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues, then an alternate and fully equivalent means of access must be provided

Department of Commerce Web Advisory Council (WAC)
U.S. Department of Commerce

Send questions and comments about this page to WAC@doc.gov
Page last updated October 12, 2010