Creating Accessible Forms & Surveys
Online forms and surveys are commonly used to collect information, gather feedback, register participants, and communicate with students, families, employees, and the community. Whether you’re creating a registration form, permission form, questionnaire, feedback survey, or online application, accessibility should be considered from the beginning. Creating accessible forms and surveys involves more than making questions easy to read. How questions are organized, how responses are entered, and how instructions and errors are communicated can affect whether everyone can independently complete and submit a form. Even when a platform includes built-in accessibility features, the questions, instructions, and other content added by the creator must also be accessible.
Below are tips for creating accessible forms and surveys, applying Universal Design for Learning (UDL), sharing content on websites, and additional resources for program-specific guidance.
Use Clear Titles & Instructions
Give your form a descriptive title, explain its purpose, and provide clear instructions about what information is needed and how to complete it.
Organize Questions Logically
Group related questions into meaningful sections, use a consistent layout, and present information in a logical order that is easy to follow.
Use Clear Question Labels
Write concise, descriptive questions and labels so users understand what information to enter without relying on placeholder text alone.
Identify Required Fields
Clearly identify which questions are required using text or other accessible indicators rather than relying only on color or symbols.
Choose Accessible Question Types
Use standard form controls such as text fields, checkboxes, and radio buttons, and avoid question types that require dragging, precise mouse movements, or complex visual interactions.
Provide Helpful Instructions & Examples
Explain unfamiliar terms, clarify expected response formats, and provide examples when needed to help users complete questions correctly.
Use Accessible Color & Contrast
Ensure text, labels, buttons, and form controls have sufficient contrast, and never use color alone to communicate required fields, errors, or instructions.
Use Accessible Color & Contrast
Ensure text, labels, buttons, and form controls have sufficient contrast, and never use color alone to communicate required fields, errors, or instructions.
Make Images & Graphics Accessible
Add meaningful alternative text to informative images, provide accessible explanations for charts or diagrams, and avoid placing essential questions or instructions only in an image.
Support Keyboard Navigation
Ensure users can move through questions, select answers, access buttons, and submit the form using a keyboard without relying on a mouse.
Consider Time Limits & Accessibility
Avoid unnecessary time limits, and when time restrictions are required, provide appropriate controls, warnings, extensions, or accommodations.
Check Before Sharing
Preview and test your form to confirm that questions, instructions, response options, error messages, and submission controls are accessible and work as intended.
Communicate a Clear Purpose
Explain why the form is being used, what information is being collected, and what participants should expect.
Keep Forms Focused
Ask only for information that is necessary and avoid lengthy or repetitive questions.
Use Clear, Familiar Language
Write questions using plain language, explain unfamiliar terms, and avoid unnecessary jargon or complicated instructions.
Break Up Longer Forms
Organize lengthy forms into manageable sections with clear headings and progress indicators when available.
Provide Helpful Examples
Include examples or additional context when questions may be confusing or require a specific response format.
Offer Appropriate Response Options
When possible, allow participants to respond in ways that meet the purpose of the form without creating unnecessary barriers.
Support Different Language Needs
Consider translation and language access needs so participants can understand the questions and provide meaningful responses.
Provide Clear Next Steps
Explain what happens after the form is submitted, including any confirmation, follow-up, or additional actions required.
Use Accessible Forms & Platforms
Choose form-building tools that support accessible labels, keyboard navigation, screen readers, and other essential accessibility features.
Use Accessible Forms & Platforms
Choose form-building tools that support accessible labels, keyboard navigation, screen readers, and other essential accessibility features.
Use Meaningful Links
When linking to a form or survey, use descriptive link text that clearly identifies its purpose rather than vague phrases such as "click here."
Check Embedded Forms
When embedding forms on a webpage, verify that users can navigate, interact with, and submit the form using a keyboard and assistive technology.
Check Embedded Forms
When embedding forms on a webpage, verify that users can navigate, interact with, and submit the form using a keyboard and assistive technology.
Consider Access Requirements
Avoid unnecessary sign-in requirements and ensure participants can access the form using the devices and accounts available to them.
Test Before Publishing
Review the form on different devices and test the complete process, including required questions, validation errors, submission, and confirmation messages.
General Resources
These resources provide practical guidance for creating accessible forms and surveys.
Resources by Platform
Explore the resources below for platform-specific guidance, tools, and instructions to help you create accessible digital content. Accessibility features and options may vary depending on the platform, device, or application version.
