Designing Forms
Field and button layout locations are important for the visually impaired. Zooming makes keeping information in context difficult. Remember:
- Avoid horizontal white space between labels and entry fields. Minimize the user’s movement with the mouse when filling out forms. Keeping fields with labels is difficult when in zoom mode.
- Place the buttons vertically right below the last input field. Don’t make the user search way over to the left or right to find the input buttons.
- Make the buttons lage and high contrast. Help the user know what the buttons are used for and where the buttons are located.
- Avoid multiple column input if possible. Keep your forms in a clear vertical trajectory. I have actually been in zoom mode and skipped the second column because I did not know it existed.
- Keep your forms to one page if at all possible. If you need more than one page, use a “continue” button and take them to a new page. It is easier to go to the next page via a button than it is by scrolling the web page.
- Number your input fields and tell them on each page exactly where they are. e.g. “Entry fields 1 – 12 of 23, page 1 of 2″. This helps tremendously.
- Give immediate feedback on each page. Place a high ontrast message by the field and ask them for what is needed.
These design tips improve usability for everyone, not just the visually impaired.