• Success Criterion 3.3.2
  • Conformance level A

Required-Field Asterisk Used With No Explanation Anywhere

3.3.2 — Labels or Instructions

Scenario

Setting

A pharmacy app's prescription-refill form

What’s wrong

An asterisk (*) marks required fields but its meaning is never explained anywhere on the form — users unfamiliar with the convention don't know what it signifies.

Example 

<label for="dob">Date of birth *</label>
<input id="dob">
<!-- the asterisk appears on several fields but its meaning is never defined anywhere on the page -->

Why it matters

A patient unfamiliar with form conventions doesn't know the asterisk means required, skips the date of birth field, and the refill request gets rejected.

How to test

Look for an asterisk (*) marking required fields, then search the form for text explaining what it means: if the meaning is never stated anywhere, it fails.

How to fix

State what the asterisk means once, in plain language, near the top of the form.

<p>Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required to process your refill.</p>
<label for="dob">Date of birth *</label>
<input id="dob">

Outcome

The patient understands the asterisk and completes every required field on the first submission.

Who is affected

Older adults, non-native speakers, and people with cognitive disabilities who may not recognize the asterisk convention.

Learn more

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