Tracey Reynolds | Leeds Arts University

Tom Chimiak | Leeds Arts University

Dr Liam Noah Jefferies | Leeds Arts University

BA (Hons) Music Production Degree | Leeds Arts University

Dominique Fletcher | Leeds Arts University

BA (Hons) Animation Degree | Leeds Arts University

Heather Sprowson | Leeds Arts University

Charlotte Scroogie | Leeds Arts University

Dr David Steans | Leeds Arts University

BA (Hons) Acting for Screen Degree | Leeds Arts University

People using screen readers are not able to see the layout of a form. To make forms
accessible, they must define explicit text labels for each form control. 

Usually the best solution is to use a `<label>` element. The label may be linked to 
by the form control:

```html
<label for="name">Full name</label>
<input type="name" id="name">
```

or the `<label>` can be wrapped around the form control:

```html
<label>
    Full name <input type="name">
</label>
```

Buttons are different, as their labels are specified by the code for the button, e.g.

```html
<input type="submit" value="Send message">
<button>Send message</button>
```

Alternatively ARIA attributes, such as `aria-label` may be used, but this information
will not be conveyed to visual users. For more information, see [W3C's guide to labeling controls](https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/forms/labels/).

Hidden input fields (`<input type="hidden">`) do not require labels.
Note that the `placeholder` attribute 
[should not be used as an alternative to a label](https://www.w3.org/TR/html/sec-forms.html#the-placeholder-attribute),
nor should the `title` attribute.

## Custom roles

Note that this check considers the underlying accessible role of an element, which can be 
different from the tag itself.

For example, this `<div>` has a `role` of `button`, and so is expected to have a label, like
a button would.

```html
<div role="button"></div>
```

form-control-labels

August 2025

July 2025

Leeds College of Art

	Title / URL	Issues
	Tracey Reynolds \| Leeds Arts Universitywww.leeds-art.ac.uk/profiles/tracey-reynolds	2
	Tom Chimiak \| Leeds Arts Universitywww.leeds-art.ac.uk/profiles/tom-chimiak	2
	Dr Liam Noah Jefferies \| Leeds Arts Universitywww.leeds-art.ac.uk/profiles/liam-jefferies	2
	BA (Hons) Music Production Degree \| Leeds Arts Universitywww.leeds-art.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-music-production	2
	Dominique Fletcher \| Leeds Arts Universitywww.leeds-art.ac.uk/profiles/dominique-fletcher	2
	BA (Hons) Animation Degree \| Leeds Arts Universitywww.leeds-art.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-animation	2
	Heather Sprowson \| Leeds Arts Universitywww.leeds-art.ac.uk/profiles/heather-sprowson	2
	Charlotte Scroogie \| Leeds Arts Universitywww.leeds-art.ac.uk/profiles/charlotte-scroogie	2
	Dr David Steans \| Leeds Arts Universitywww.leeds-art.ac.uk/profiles/dr-david-steans	2
	BA (Hons) Acting for Screen Degree \| Leeds Arts Universitywww.leeds-art.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-acting-for-screen	2

Ensure form controls have labels

Leeds College of Art

Where this issue has occurred