Accessibility checklist for grant application pages

Grant application pages are public services in miniature. They are asking people to explain work, budgets, communities and risk under deadline pressure. Accessibility is not decoration; it is part of whether the process is fair.

Here is the checklist we use when reviewing applicant-facing grant pages.

Structure

• One clear page title.
• Headings in a logical order.
• Criteria, weights, budget and deadline visible before the form.
• Required documents listed before upload controls.
• Plain language for eligibility and assessment terms.

Applicants should know what they are being asked to do before they start writing.

Keyboard and focus

Every control should be reachable by keyboard, including:

• language selectors;
• eligibility checks;
• file uploads;
• save-for-later actions;
• submit buttons;
• copy-reference actions after submission.

Focus should move predictably. If a validation error appears, the applicant should be able to find it without hunting.

Errors

Errors should say what happened and how to fix it. "Invalid input" is not enough. For grant forms, useful errors include:

• "Enter a work email address."
• "Add your project name."
• "Attach the required governance document."
• "Confirm consent before submitting."

The error should be text, not colour alone.

Language support

If a form offers multiple languages, translate the fixed interface as well as the guidance. Buttons, upload notes, validation errors and submission confirmations are part of the experience.

For New Zealand / Aotearoa rounds, te reo Māori support should be named clearly so funders and applicants can see it is available.

Drafts and return links

Long applications need save-and-return. The resume link should be private, easy to understand and clear about what it does. Do not require an account just to resume a public grant application unless the funder has a strong reason.

Mobile layout

Many applicants will draft on a laptop and check details on a phone. The page should not hide criteria, collapse important help text beyond recognition, or place primary actions below unexpected sticky elements.

Accessible grant pages make the process calmer for everyone, not only people using assistive technology.