Balbooa Forms 2.3.1. Accessibility Update
With the release of Gridbox 2.19.0, we began a serious conversation about web accessibility. An accessible website is not just about layout and structure, it’s also about the forms users interact with. Balbooa Joomla Forms has always aimed to follow accessibility standards, but with version 2.3.1, we’ve taken things to the next level.
Yes, we’ve already implemented accessibility improvements in previous versions of Balbooa Forms, but this time, we approached the question thoroughly. We rechecked everything manually, identified, refined, and improved.
How Did We Improve Accessibility?
Accessibility updates were already part of Balbooa Joomla Forms. But time moves on, and so do standards. We returned to the topic with fresh knowledge and stricter guidelines. By testing our forms with the WAVE accessibility tool, we identified and fixed several issues. So, let’s take a look at what’s new.
Accessible Design Option
Balbooa Joomla Forms 2.3.1 introduces a new option — Accessible Design, which you will find in Design Settings.
When Accessible Design is enabled, all pixel-based values (such as paddings, fonts, buttons, and so on) are automatically converted to rem units. This means the form layout adjusts to the user's browser settings and can be scaled without losing readability and structure.
This update makes Balbooa Joomla Forms more flexible and accessible to people with different needs. Enabling the Accessible Design option makes forms usable for everyone, regardless of the device or method of interaction.
Aria Label for Submit Button
The Submit button is one of the most important elements in a form. People using screen readers need to know exactly what will happen when they click it.
If you use an icon-only submit button without visible text, adding an Aria Label is essential to let screen reader users understand the button's purpose. You can manually add a custom Aria Label to your Submit button, providing a clear description of the action, like "Send consultation request" or "Confirm subscription".
This small change improves the experience for visually impaired users and helps your site meet WCAG standards.
Compatibility with Joomla Accessibility Tool
The Accessible Design option makes forms compatible with the Joomla Accessibility Tool. If you’re using this plugin, your forms will automatically adapt to user preferences like contrast, font size, and more.
Accessibility Through Keyboard
Balbooa Joomla Forms can now be used completely with a keyboard. All form elements — inputs, checkboxes, and buttons are fully accessible using the Tab and Enter keys.
This is especially important for customers with motor impairments who can’t use a mouse, and for those who prefer keyboard navigation. Full keyboard support is a core requirement for accessibility compliance and a key part of creating a more inclusive web.
Built-in Google reCAPTCHA
Forms need to be protected from spam — that's an axiom. Previously, Google reCAPTCHA was integrated into Balbooa Forms via the default Joomla plugin. But starting with Joomla 5, that plugin is no longer supported.
So we took matters into our own hands and built a native reCAPTCHA integration right into Balbooa Joomla Forms.
Now, enabling spam protection is easier than ever. Just go to Integrations, choose Spam Protection, and enter your reCAPTCHA keys. No need for extra plugins or third-party solutions, just fast and built-in protection that’s 100% compatible with Joomla 5.
Designed for Every User
Forms are more than input fields, they are a real point of interaction between websites and people. With Balbooa Joomla Forms 2.3.1, we’ve done everything possible to make that interaction accessible, understandable, and secure for everyone.
We improved what already existed, added what was missing, and simplified what should be simple. This update is more than just another improvement, it’s our step toward building a more inclusive and responsible web.
Changelog
2.3.1 — 22.05.2025
- Accessible Design Option
- Aria Label for Submit button field
- Ability to navigate the form using a keyboard
- Full compatibility with the default Joomla plugin "Additional Accessibility Features"
- Built-in Google reCAPTCHA integration
- Fiscalization for payment gateways: Cloudpayments, Robokassa, and YooKassa
- Ability to set the time for the Submit Expiration Date
- Issue related to form submitting limitation by IP address
- Small design issues in the admin panel