Inclusive form design isn’t a luxury, it’s a civil right. Most registration processes are forms based. Without accessible forms, people who use assistive technology can’t get through the door. When we talk about submit buttons, the choice to make them active all the time isn’t about “just making things easier” — it’s about removing real accessibility barriers.
An active submit button means users who rely on screen readers or keyboard navigation can always finish what they started. But most designers/UX folks talk about submit vs in-line field validation as an “or.” I propose we look at them as an “and.” Just like the little girl in the meme says, “why not both?” If you have an active submit button and ALSO add in-line validation, which flags issues as they arise, you are creating an experience that sets the standard for a best practice. You aren’t just following the guidelines to achieve compliance, you are making sure that people with disabilities have the best chance of becoming customers as anyone else.
Real-time feedback reduces stress for those who may struggle to go back and forth in a form, helping everyone complete it without hassle. Active submit combined with user-friendly error message means users don’t get stuck looking through a long form trying to figure out which required field they missed. Companies like #Amazon have it right — they combine both. When we prioritize both an always-active button and in-line validation, we’re making digital spaces accessible, user-centered, and, most importantly, equitable.
Alt: first image is a female child seated in an office with the caption: “Submit Button always active” on the left side and “in-line field validation” on the right side. Beneath it is a question:
“why don’t we have both? “
second image shows group of persons lifting the female child up in celebration.