Background

§1194.21(l) of Section 508 states that:

"When electronic forms are used, the form shall allow people using assistive technology to access the information, field elements, and functionality required for completion and submission of the form, including all directions and cues."

Electronic forms are used by many government agencies and commercial businesses to gather information or to permit a person to apply for services, benefits, or employment. This provision is for software products not web sites. Web sites have a similar provision located in section 1194.22. An example of the use of this type of form is the Tax Preparation products often used by the public. Successful completion of an electronic form depends upon the user’s ability to access, understand, complete, and submit the form.

If all fields on an electronic form are not correctly populated, and if the form is not readable by assistive technology devices, a user with a mobility/dexterity, cognitive, or visual disability may not be able to utilize the document. The two primary characteristics of an effective form are:

1) Fields that are identified in a textual sense (i.e., they are labeled), and

2) Its ability to be completed using keyboard shortcut keys (Alt, Ctrl, Tab).

The purpose of this provision is to ensure that electronic forms are fully usable by people with disabilities.

Select the Next button to find out how to assess whether your application conforms to this provision.