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Users with vision impairment
or disabilities typically use an assistive technology called a screen
reader, which speaks to the user. A screen reader can relay information
about where the cursor is displayed on the computer. The screen
reader can also read the tool tips, so it is very important to include
tool tips in your design.
In addition to tool tips, you can use captions, object names,
or custom screen reader text to clearly identify each field. You
can also use text objects to indicate what kind of input is required.
When indicating which fields require input, be explicit. For example,
tool tip text can contain the words “Required input”.
To ensure that a screen reader will work with a PDF form, each
object should provide spoken information, and you must generate
a tagged PDF form.
If you will
be creating an HTML form from the same form design, screen readers
can read and speak tool tips from AHTML transformations.
Keep the following design considerations in mind to assist users
with vision impairment or disabilities:
Users with vision impairment or disabilities cannot use
a mouse to interact with a computer. Every function must be available
using the keyboard. For most forms, the Tab and Shift+Tab keys move
the cursor forward and backward through the form. Be sure to set
a logical tabbing order that includes all fields and buttons.
Many forms include administrative information that provides
additional instructions to the user on how to complete the form.
Use tool tips to ensure that all important information is read to
the user at an appropriate time. For example, if keystrokes are
required to perform a function, such as pressing the space bar to
select a button or the Down Arrow key to select an item from a list box,
the keystrokes should be announced to the user.
Include enough spoken information for users to know what
input is expected and how to complete the field correctly, but do
not overwhelm users with redundant information.
Add navigational buttons to the top and bottom of the form.
For example, at the top of a form, you could include buttons such
as Open Data File, Previous Page, and Next Page. At the bottom of
the form you could include buttons such as Save Data, Email Data,
Go to Top of Page, and Print.
Smart fields can be an effective way to make some forms easier
to fill. For example, a travel request form may have several rows
and columns of fields. The last field in each row could check if
any data was entered in the row. If the row is empty, the Tab key
could jump to the next section of the form rather than continuing
to tab through a number of fields that will remain empty.
Users with vision impairment or those who are color blind
may have difficulty seeing the cursor. Use appropriate colors to
display objects using a color scheme selected by the user.
Users with vision impairment typically use an assistive technology
such as a magnification program. This product enlarges the cursor.
Test your forms with a number of the more popular magnification
programs to ensure that your forms are accessible.
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