Guideline 3.3 - Input Assistance
Outline
This article details a point in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and what the implications are for creating accessible course content in Evolve and is part of a larger path.
To view the full guidelines, please visit the Accessibility: WCAG 2.1 and Evolve path.
Guideline 3.3.1
Error Identification Level A If an input error is automatically detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text.
Explanation
If someone enters an incorrect credit card number in an online shop, for example, the mistake is identified and they are alerted to that error.
What does this mean for your content in Evolve?
This isn't relevant to Evolve content. A typical error in an Evolve course might look like trying to click a Submit button in an MCQ Component before selecting an answer option. In this case, no notification of the error is required, as the learner cannot select that button until an option is selected.
Guideline 3.3.2
Labels or Instructions Level A Labels or instructions are provided when content requires user input.
Explanation
Anything that requires the user to do something is adequately labeled, and has instructions.
What does this mean for your content in Evolve?
Evolve provides ample opportunity for labeling and instructions, from on-screen instructions and labels to aria labels for screen readers. Giving clear and concise instructions to learners is a skill. Piloting your courses with end-users, particularly if your course is more complex is always a good idea to gain useful feedback and make improvements.
Guideline 3.3.3
Error Suggestion Level AA If an input error is automatically detected and suggestions for correction are known, then the suggestions are provided to the user unless it would jeopardize the security or purpose of the content.
Explanation
Building on 3.3.1, this asks that if errors are detected, suggestions can be made to help the user - unless they pose a security risk.
What does this mean for your content in Evolve?
Like 3.3.1, this isn’t really relevant to Evolve content.
Guideline 3.3.4
Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) Level AA For Web pages that cause legal commitments or financial transactions for the user to occur, that modify or delete user-controllable data in data storage systems, or that submit user test responses, at least one of the following is true:
- Reversible: Submissions are reversible.
- Checked: Data entered by the user is checked for input errors and the user is provided an opportunity to correct them.
- Confirmed: A mechanism is available for reviewing, confirming, and correcting information before finalizing the submission.
Explanation
Building on 3.3.1 again, this specifically refers to users being able to amend anything that has some level of financial or legal implications.
What does this mean for your content in Evolve?
Again, not relevant to Evolve and eLearning. Your course is not likely to be asking for any credit card details or legally binding declarations. That said, if you are making a compliance course and creating some kind of question component at the end to ask learners to confirm they have read and agree to abide by the training, as long as you allow the learner to reset their answer, you will fulfill these criteria.
Guideline 3.3.5
Help Level AAA Context-sensitive help is available.
Explanation
While at first glance this might seem self-explanatory, when you delve into the detail of this guideline, it’s referring specifically to contextual help for users when being asked to fill in form fields.
What does this mean for your content in Evolve?
You may well be asking learners to complete text fields in your course, but it’s not likely to be as involved as filling out certain forms in web content.
What you need to consider here when creating courses is "Can the learner understand what is being asked of them?"
If in doubt, include very specific instructions wherever you feel they may be appropriate. There’s a variety of ways to achieve this. One way would be to use the Hint Extension to provide additional instruction as required. You could also use the Additional Content Extension to create a dedicated page of help and instruction.
Guideline 3.3.6
Error Prevention (All) Level AAA For Web pages that require the user to submit information, at least one of the following is true:
- Reversible: Submissions are reversible.
- Checked: Data entered by the user is checked for input errors and the user is provided an opportunity to correct them.
- Confirmed: A mechanism is available for reviewing, confirming, and correcting information before finalizing the submission.
Explanation
If any information is entered on a web form, the user has a chance to correct it.
What does this mean for your content in Evolve?
This is obviously geared to web content rather than eLearning, but this is still an easy criterion to meet. If you include any interactions requiring a learner’s response, such as questions, text entry fields, for example, make sure you set them to have a reset or edit answer button, so learners can amend if they make an error.
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