Explain form mistakes with words as well as colour

What to change

Ask the supplier to identify the affected question and provide a useful correction in text, with colour supporting the explanation rather than carrying it alone.

A worked example

Illustrative example

An email field shows a short correction instruction alongside its border treatment, while the rest of the correctly completed form remains unchanged.

Healthcare website design showing connected desktop and mobile service and enquiry layouts. — Make the service and next step clear on every screen.

Healthcare website accessibility illustrated by a focus outline, keyboard key, contrast samples and form. — Review keyboard access, contrast and understandable form fields.

Why this matters to your practice

A red border tells some visitors that a problem exists, but it does not explain the solution. Ask for words that name the issue and suggest the next action, such as checking the email address for a missing part. Have reception review those messages for tone: a routine mistake does not warrant a harsh warning. The same explanation should be available to somebody using screen-reading software, without requiring them to infer meaning from a colour or icon.

How to check the result

Accept when visitors can locate, understand and resolve each error without interpreting colour, and corrected fields no longer announce an error.

A mistake to avoid

A warning icon helps only when its meaning is clear and the actual correction remains available in text.

Turn reading into a next step

Your action checklist

Work through these checks with your team or supplier. Tick the ones you have resolved and leave unknowns open.

Checks to discussCause errors in a text field, a checkbox group and a dropdown. Check each has an explanation connected to that question rather than a colour change alone.Inspect the form in a monochrome view or with a colleague who does not rely on colour distinctions. Determine whether failed fields remain obvious.Have the supplier demonstrate how a screen reader (software that reads the page aloud) identifies an invalid field and its explanation. Correct the answer and confirm the error state clears.

Your answers and notes

Record what you know, what is still missing and the answer you need from your team or supplier.

What happens next, and who will do it?

Use project decisions only, without personal, patient or confidential details. Entries stay in this page and are not submitted to Kay & Co. Copy or download before leaving; this page does not save your notes.

Related guides

Need help with this?

Tell us what is getting in the way. Kay & Co. can help you understand the options and turn the next step into something that works for your practice.

Explore websites & patient experience services or discuss your project.

Try the free Healthcare Digital Planner to find your starting priority.