Make each new form step easy to recognise

What to change

Ask the supplier to give every step a clear heading and sensible starting point, including for visitors using software that reads the page aloud.

A worked example

Illustrative example

After contact preference, the next section is identified as Contact details. The visitor can then reach its first relevant field in the expected order.

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

Moving to the next stage should answer two immediate questions: where am I now, and what do I need to do? A new heading and relevant instructions can provide that orientation. Ask your supplier to demonstrate the transition aloud with screen-reading software and visually on a phone. Avoid insisting that every transition jumps straight into a question, because doing so may skip an important explanation. The objective is an understandable start to the next part of the task.

How to check the result

Accept when every transition exposes the new section's identity and leaves a usable focus position rather than an invisible or removed control.

A mistake to avoid

Forcing focus straight into the first field can skip instructions that the visitor needs before answering.

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 discussContinue from one completed section to the next using a keyboard. Observe the focused element and confirm the new heading is available before its questions.Ask the supplier to demonstrate the same transition with a screen reader (software that reads the page aloud). Listen for enough context to recognise the new section without reading the entire page again.Repeat after correcting an error and after returning from review. These transitions should retain their distinct purpose while avoiding focus being lost to the browser's own controls.

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

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