WCAG 2.1 Help Blog
Accessible forms for website owners: what to fix first
If accessibility is urgent, start with forms. They’re high-impact and often the source of the most serious user blockers.
Start with the forms that matter most
You don’t need to fix every form at once. Start with the ones tied to leads or revenue: contact, signup, checkout, and account creation.
A good first milestone is: someone can complete these forms using only a keyboard, with clear labels and clear errors.
- Contact form
- Checkout / payment form (if applicable)
- Signup / account creation
- Support request form
What “good” looks like (without getting technical)
You don’t need to know code to evaluate these basics. You can spot many issues by trying the form yourself.
- Every field has a clear label (not just placeholder text)
- Instructions are visible before submitting
- Errors are specific and easy to find
- You can complete the form without a mouse
What to ask your team or vendor to deliver
If you’re hiring help, ask for a short list of prioritized fixes and a confirmation step showing they re-tested after changes.
- A prioritized list of changes (plain language)
- A short retest note after fixes
- Any remaining issues and a realistic plan to address them