Error Identification - Success Criterion 3.3.1 (Level A)

Question

If an error occurs when users input content in your site or application, is the error identified and described to the user in text form?

Why is this important?

Making sure an input error has been identified and clearly described using text ensures the user knows an error has occurred and what is wrong.

Whom does it benefit?

Example 1

As a student who is blind and uses a screen reader, filling out a registration form can be tricky.
I want any error messages that occur displayed in text
so that I can have my screen reader read the details of the error.

Example 2

As a student with a learning disability,
I want error alerts to be described in a simple, detailed message
so that I can understand what I did wrong.

What should you do?

Provide text alerts for any user input errors that occur in your site or application.

Note: Using images, symbols, and color is acceptable as long as accompanied by text.

How do you do it?

Listed below are some common techniques.

• Provide error messages at the top of a form or adjacent to each form field.
  
• Create error alert pop-up windows.
  
• Provide dynamic error messages as the user enters data.
  

Need technical guidance?

Technical guidance is available for implementing this Success Criterion at the Understanding Success Criterion 3.3.1 - Error Identification page.

Additional Resources to help you

• Form data validation - MDN web docs moz://a
• How to Provide Accessible Error Identification - LEVEL Access
• Usable and Accessible Form Validation and Error Recovery - WebAIM