SurveyMonkey Accessibility

Survey Monkey

There are certain accessibility considerations that need to be implemented when using SurveyMonkey.ÌýThis page summarizes accessibility findings identified through the assessment ofÌýSurveyMonkey.ÌýIf you are purchasing SurveyMonkey at ¿ì»îÁÖÐÔÏ¢, it is your responsibility to review these findings and ensure the surveys distributed by your respectiveÌýarea comply with accessibilityÌýguidelines.ÌýÌý


Accessibility IssuesÌý

The problems identified in this section are known accessibility concerns as reported by SurveyMonkey. These problems will require alternative solutions and/or workarounds. For more information about these issues go toÌý.ÌýÌý

  • Keyboard FocusÌý:ÌýSome question types may contain unclear visible keyboard focus making it difficult for keyboard users to navigate through the survey.
  • Error ValidationÌýThere is no error validation of incorrect data.Ìý
  • One Question at a Time:ÌýThe survey option, "One Question at a Time" auto-advances users to the next question as soon as they select an answer. This interferes with standard keyboard navigation and prevents users from navigating through selections and changing them.
  • Ranking Questions:ÌýRanking questions are not accessible via keyboard or by assistive devices. This question requires a response that can only be done using a computer mouse

Accessibility Best Practices for Survey Creator

Because most elements in SurveyMonkey are under the control of survey creators, it is imperative that survey creators follow accessibility best practices when developing a survey. SurveyMonkey provides resources to guide survey creators in developing the most accessible survey. Failure to follow these practices will result in access barriers for survey takers with disabilities.


Question Types

  • Avoid using question types that may not be accessible for survey takers with disabilities.
  • Always make sure questions with input fields are resizable.
  • Avoid usingÌývideos and imagesÌýas part of a question. These questions may not be inclusive for survey takers with sight disabilities. Videos may also cause problems for survey takers who are deaf or hard of hearing if the video is missing captions.Ìý
  • To ensure users with visual disabilities have full understanding of a grid question, aÌýtable summaryÌýis required.
  • If a question isÌýrequired, always make sure the required question has an asterisk next to it. Do not use color only to differentiate required questions from other question types.

Language

  • Always provideÌýinstructionsÌýto questions to ensure users with disabilities will fully understand how to navigate the survey or question. For more information visitÌý.Ìý
  • Provide clear and descriptiveÌýerror messagesÌýfor survey takers to receive when they input incorrect data. The error message should clearly describe the error and explain how to fix it.
  • Always be mindful of theÌýlanguageÌýin your survey. Avoid using text that can be difficult to understand or can be taken out of context. For more guidance, go toÌýUDC’s Readability Page.ÌýÌý

Structure

  • Always addÌýheadingsÌýto your survey as they help organize information and allow survey takers using screen reader technology to better navigate a survey.ÌýÌý
  • When emphasizing text, use the appropriate program features toÌýbold, underline or italicize textÌýinstead of capitalizing text. Cap’s text is not understood by screen reader technology and this can prevent survey takers with disabilities from understanding important information.Ìý
  • A page descriptionÌýis always needed to describe the purpose of the survey. VisitÌýUniversal Design Center: Headings and TitlesÌýfor more information.

Color

  • Do not useÌýcolor onlyÌýto emphasize content
  • Always make sure there is sufficientÌýcolor contrastÌýbetween the foreground and background of your survey.

Layout

  • Use the recommendedÌýaccessible layouts and themesÌýin SurveyMonkey for your survey.
  • If a survey is long, it is recommended to break the survey intoÌýmultiple pagesÌýandÌýenable question and page numberingÌýto let users know the length of the survey.For more information visitÌý.
  • Do not use theÌýOne-At-A-TimeÌýsurvey interaction feature in SurveyMonkey as it interferes with screen reader technology’s ability to interpret information. ÌýFor more information, go toÌýÌýsection.

  • Make sure survey questions and input fields areÌýresizable.
  • For better mobile layout, always organize multiple choice questions in aÌývertical layout.
  • Avoid usingÌýJavaScript-based questionsÌýas they may not be accessible on mobile devices.
  • UseÌýÌýfor guidance in making mobile responsive surveys.

  • If time limits are present in a survey, a method to extend time limit should be present.
  • It is recommended to provide a visual countdown or display to let survey takers know how much time remains.
  • Survey takers must be warned beforehand if a survey has a time limit.

  • Use an accessibility checker to determine the accessibility of your survey. Use theÌýÌýcan run a more in-depthÌýaccessibility check.Ìý
  • Review the color contrast of your survey by testing it with a color contrast checker. Recommended tool isÌýÌý
  • Validate screen reader accessibility by usingÌýÌýpage.

Departments must also have a method to let survey-takers know if alternative solutions are available. It is highly recommended to provide a statement near the top of the survey that let as a survey taker know who to contact for assistance and provide links to resources to help them.Ìý

Example:

If you are having problems completing this form due to accessibility-related issues, contact (Department/survey creator contact information). For screen reader assistance visitÌý.ÌýÌý

In addition,Ìýdepartments must establish alternative solutions to use if survey-takers have problems completing a survey due to accessibility barriers.ÌýÌý

Examples of alternative solutions for a survey include:Ìý

  • RSVP Surveys: Provide a survey-taker another method to RSVP instead of a survey. For example, allow a survey-taker to call or email the department as an alternative.Ìý If a survey is used to RSVP to an event, allowing users to RSVP via phone or email would be an effective alternative.Ìý
  • Research & Climate Surveys: An alternative survey format can be made available to survey-takers who need it. Alternative formats could be a paper survey, PDF or other accessible electronic documents.
  • Classroom Polls: If a survey is used for classroom polls or instruction, an alternative method to participate in class assignments should be considered such as an alternative device or program a survey taker can use instead.