Skip to navigation content (Press Enter).

WCAG 2.0 AA Compliance

Section 3.3.2

Labels or instructions are provided when content requires user input.


There are several techniques you should employ when creating a form to make it WCAG accessible:


  • Provide descriptive labels. This has been discussed earlier in the WCAG guide where you describe the purpose of each form element using a <label> tag.
  • Providing text instructions at the beginning of a form or set of fields that describes the necessary input. For example, at the beginning of the form you should specify to the user how dates should be entered ("Dates should be entered in mm/dd/yyyy format.")
  • You can also place a specific format instruction in a particular field's label. For example:
    <label for="date">Date (mm/dd/yyyy)</label>
    <input type="text" name="date" id="date" />
  • Place checkboxes and radio buttons before their labels, not after. Another obvious point is to place the labels for text input before the text input and not after.
  • Indicating a required field with text in the label. Simply adding the phrase "(required)" in the label for your field will be adequate.
  • Indicating an uncompleted field that was required after submission. For example, if someone's name was required and they didn't complete it, you can modify the label to say "(not completed)" in addition to its name. This isn't necessary but it helps.
  • Finally, like mentioned before in this guide, you can use the title attribute to name the purpose of a field when using a label isn't possible.
    <input type="text" name="date" id="date" title="Date (required)" />

References

Service Bulletins

  • MAC ID Password Expiry

    Beginning in May 2016, MAC ID passwords at McMaster expire annually. Learn more at www.mcmaster.ca/uts/macid

Service Desk

Client Self Service:
https://servicedesk.mcmaster.ca
Hours: Monday - Friday
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Phone: 905-525-9140 x24357 (2HELP)
Email: uts@mcmaster.ca
Location: Main Campus BSB Rm. 245
Service Catalogue:
http://www.mcmaster.ca/uts

Great Idea Site

Great Idea