Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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# F81: Failure of Success Criterion 1.4.1 due to identifying required or error fields using color differences only

## Applicability

All technologies

This failure relates to:

- Success Criterion 1.4.1 (Use of Color)
  - How to Meet 1.4.1 (Use of Color)
  - Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.1 (Use of Color)

## Description

This objective of this technique is to describe the failure that occurs when a required field or an error field is marked with color differences only, without an alternate way to identify the required field or error field. This can cause problems for people who are blind or colorblind, because they may not be able to perceive the color differences that indicate which field is required or which field is causing an error.

## Examples

- A user is completing an online form, and the phone number field is required. To indicate that the phone number field is required, the label "Phone Number" is displayed in blue text only, without any other indication that "Phone Number" is a required field. A blind or colorblind user may not be able to identify that "Phone Number" is a required field.

- A user submits an online form and leaves a required field blank, resulting in an error. The form field that caused the error is indicated by red text only, without an additional non-color indication that the field caused an error.

## Tests

### Procedure

For all required fields or error fields in the Web page that are identified using color differences:

1. Check that an non-color way to identify the required field or error field is provided.

### Expected Results

- If step #1 is false, then this failure condition applies and content fails the Success Criterion.

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