Guide to Guideline 2.5 Level 2 Success Criterion 1

Key terms and important concepts

input error

Data that does not meet expected format or content parameters required by the Web site.

Intent of this success criterion

The intent of this success criterion is to assist users who, because of their disabilities, may be more inclined to make mistakes than users without disabilities.

Techniques for addressing 2.5 L2 SC1

The following combinations of techniques are deemed to be sufficient by the WCAG Working Group for meeting success criterion 2.5 L2 SC1.

Instructions: Select the situation(s) below that match your content. Beneath it, are the option(s) that are known and documented to be sufficient for that situation. For the technology-specific techniques, see the options for the technology you are using listed immediately below.

Situation A: If a form contains both required and optional fields:

Identify input fields which are required in order to complete the task.

Situation B: If a form contains fields for which only certain user responses are valid:

Provide feedback to the user in text when invalid responses are provided by the user.

Technology-Specific Techniques for 2.5 L2 SC1

HTML

Editorial Note: Linked items point to the techniques in the current draft, which need additional work. Also, above titles do not match the titles in current drafts.

Optional Techniques (Advisory) for 2.5 L2 SC1

Although not required for conformance, the following additional techniques should be considered in order to make content more accessible. Not all techniques can be used or would be effective in all situations.

Additional Technology-Independent Techniques (Advisory)

Additional HTML Techniques (Advisory)

Additional CSS Techniques (Advisory)

Benefits: How 2.5 L2 SC1 helps people with disabilities

Examples of 2.5 L2 SC1

  1. Identifying errors in a form submission.

    An airline web site offers a special promotion on discounted flights. The user is asked to complete a simple form that asks for personal information such as name, address, phone number, seating preference and e-mail address. If any of the fields of the form are either not completed or completed incorrectly, the user is warned of the input error. The user is then presented with the same form, all previously and correctly entered information is still available. The user is asked to make corrections to any form field marked with a red arrow or two asterisks. Note: color alone is not used to indicate errors.

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