Creating accessible surveys is crucial for gathering inclusive and accurate data. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your Qualtrics surveys are usable by people with a wide range of abilities.
Getting Started with Accessibility
- Use the "Check Survey Accessibility" Tool: Qualtrics provides a built-in tool that checks your survey for common accessibility issues. This feature identifies inaccessible question types and provides recommendations for improvement, helping you work towards accessibility compliance.
- Provide a Descriptive Survey Title: A clear and descriptive title helps screen reader users understand the purpose of your survey, especially if they have multiple browser tabs open. You can change the survey title in the "Survey Options."
- Auto-Number Questions: Enable auto-numbering to help screen reader users track their progress through the survey.
Accessible Question Types and Design
- Choose Accessible Question Types: The following question types are generally considered accessible:
- Descriptive Text
- Multiple Choice (all variations except Multi-Select Box)
- Net Promoter® Score
- Matrix Table (Rank Order, Constant Sum, Text Entry, and Profile subtypes are accessible. The Likert subtype is also accessible but should be made mobile-friendly).
- Text Entry (all types)
- Form Field
- Rank Order (Text Box, Graphic, and Radio Buttons are accessible)
- Side by Side
- Constant Sum (Choices/Text Entry subtype is accessible)
- Drill Down
- Timing (the auto-advance option is not accessible)
- Meta Info
- CAPTCHA Verification (V2)
- Slider
- File Upload
- Avoid Inaccessible Question Types: Some question types are not accessible and should be avoided. These often involve drag-and-drop interfaces, sliders, or graphical interactions that are difficult for screen readers and keyboard-only users to navigate. The following are generally considered inaccessible:
- Rank Order (Drag and Drop and Select Box subtypes)
- Matrix Table (Bipolar, MaxDiff, and Carousel subtypes)
- Constant Sum (Sliders and Bars subtypes)
- Pick, Group, and Rank
- Hot Spot
- Heat Map
- Graphic Slider
- Signature
- Highlight
- File Upload (can be problematic for some users)
- Video Response
- Org Hierarchy (EX)
- Use Simple and Clear Language: Keep your questions brief and use plain language that is easy for everyone to understand.
- Logical Order: Arrange your questions in a logical order to create a smooth and intuitive user experience.
Visual and Technical Accessibility
- Provide Text Alternatives for Images: All images and graphics should have descriptive alt text. This allows screen reader users to understand the content of the image. You can add alt text in the image properties in the Rich Content Editor.
- Use Accessible Fonts and Colors: Use simple, sans-serif fonts and ensure there is sufficient color contrast between the text and background. Dark text on a light background is generally recommended.
- Clear Navigation Buttons: Change the default navigation buttons from ">>" and "<<" to "Next" and "Back." You can also enable the "Previous" button in the "Survey Options" under "Responses."
- Use a Progress Bar with Text: For multi-page surveys, use a progress bar with text to help users understand how much of the survey they have completed.
- Avoid Timed Questions: The animated timer can be distracting and challenging for some users. If a timer is necessary, consider providing an option to extend the time and disable the visual timer.
- Accessible Media: Ensure that any embedded video or audio content meets accessibility standards, such as providing captions or transcripts.
Alternative Access and Testing
- Offer Alternative Access: Provide alternative ways for users to complete the survey, such as by email or over the phone.
- Test Your Survey: Before distributing your survey, test it with a few people, including users of assistive technologies, to get feedback on its accessibility and usability.
By following these guidelines, you can create Qualtrics surveys that are accessible to a wider audience, leading to more inclusive and representative data.
Additional Resources