Could the web designers please add background-color: props to input and text area elements? I'd recommend when proofing your CSS to not only try multiple browsers, but also changing your color theme to something like "Plum" or "High Contrast #2" (on XP, don't know if they're still in Vista) to ensure that your page still looks like what you intend.
Remember to inherit all settings or override all settings: allowing some to sneak through gives unintended, often illegible, results.
Thank you! :)
P.S. this isn't just in the forums, most of MS's sites have this issue.