Special Programs | Mercy University

Academic Centers & Libraries | Mercy University

Dining at Mercy | Mercy University

School of Nursing | Mercy University

The Catalyst Program by Mercy University

Admissions & Aid | Mercy University

Student Life | Mercy University

Academics | Mercy University

Admissions Events | Mercy University

Campus Locations | Mercy 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

February 2026

January 2026

Mercy College

	Title / URL	Issues
	Special Programs \| Mercy Universitymercy.edu/academics/special-programs	3
	Academic Centers & Libraries \| Mercy Universitymercy.edu/academics/academic-centers	3
	Dining at Mercy \| Mercy Universitymercy.edu/campus-life/dining-mercy	3
	School of Nursing \| Mercy Universitymercy.edu/academics/school-nursing	3
	The Catalyst Program by Mercy Universitymercy.edu/admissions-aid/catalyst	3
	Admissions & Aid \| Mercy Universitymercy.edu/admissions-aid	3
	Student Life \| Mercy Universitymercy.edu/student-life	3
	Academics \| Mercy Universitymercy.edu/academics	3
	Admissions Events \| Mercy Universitymercy.edu/admissions-aid/events	3
	Campus Locations \| Mercy Universitymercy.edu/campus-locations	3

Ensure form controls have labels

Mercy College

Where this issue has occurred