PDF Form Fundamentals
Explore what makes a fillable PDF form understandable and predictable from the first field through error correction. Learn how labels, instructions, required fields, field types, and error identification affect the experience of completing a form.
Location: Online via Zoom
Duration: 60 min
Your Instructor
Shawn Jordison – ‘The Accessibility Guy’
Shawn Jordison, known as The Accessibility Guy, has more than 17 years of experience helping organizations create accessible documents, training, and content that meet Section 508, WCAG, and PDF/UA standards.
About the session
A form must do more than provide empty fields. People need to understand what information is being requested, where it should be entered, which responses are required, and how to recover when something goes wrong.
This session explains how Section 508, PDF/UA, and WCAG apply to interactive PDF forms. Participants learn how assistive technologies interact with form fields and why field types, labels, instructions, required-field indicators, and error messages must be structured carefully.
The course reviews common problems found in fillable PDFs and helps participants recognize when a form may be confusing, incomplete, or difficult to operate. It establishes the conceptual foundation needed to evaluate forms and communicate clearly about required corrections.
PDF Accessibility Fundamentals, or equivalent familiarity, is recommended. This course does not include hands-on form creation or remediation.
What You’ll Learn
- How Section 508, PDF/UA, and WCAG apply to interactive PDF forms
- How assistive technologies interact with PDF form fields
- Why the correct field type matters
- How field names and labels communicate purpose
- What instructions need to tell the person completing the form
- How required fields should be identified
- How errors should be communicated
- Common failure patterns involving fields, labels, instructions, and required responses
- What to look for when evaluating a fillable PDF form
After This Session, You’ll Be Able To
- Explain how assistive technologies interact with PDF form fields
- Recognize problems involving labels, instructions, field types, and required responses
- Describe how required fields and error identification should work
- Identify common failure patterns in fillable PDFs
- Communicate more clearly about corrections needed in a form
- Determine when a form requires further review or remediation
Who This Course Is For
This course is designed for:
- People who create, review, publish, or manage fillable PDF forms
- Employees responsible for evaluating forms created by another person or vendor
- Developing accessibility professionals who need a stronger forms foundation
- Anyone preparing to take the PDF Forms Accessibility Applied workshop
Logistics
Location: Online via Zoom
Duration: 60 min
Start Time: 12:00 PM PT
Certification: Certificate of Completion issued to attendees who complete the full session
FAQs
Is there a prerequisite?
PDF Accessibility Fundamentals (or equivalent familiarity) is recommended.
Is this a hands-on session?
No. This is a conceptual course. It does not include hands-on form creation or remediation. For hands-on instruction, see our PDF Accessibility Applied workshop.
Does this course cover creating form fields?
The session explains how fields, labels, instructions, required responses, and errors should work. Hands-on form creation is covered in the PDF Forms Accessibility Applied workshop.
What does the course cover?
The course covers form fields, field types, labels, instructions, required fields, error identification, and common failure patterns in fillable PDFs.
Is this useful if someone else creates our forms?
Yes. The course can help you recognize common problems and communicate more clearly about corrections that may be needed.
Do I get any materials?
Yes. Attendees receive a topic-specific PDF forms cheat sheet.
Will a recording be available?
The recording isn’t included, but it can be purchased separately for a fee.
What do I need to attend?
Join from any computer with a reliable internet connection. We use Zoom to provide an engaging, interactive learning experience. A microphone is recommended for participating in discussions, and a webcam is optional but encouraged.
How accessible is the training?
As accessibility specialists, we design our training to be inclusive from the start. Sessions include live captions, and if you have accessibility requirements, we’ll work with you before the course to help ensure a successful learning experience. If you need additional support, contact us.
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