Write clearly
- Keep it short. Use the simplest language appropriate for your content
- Use illustrations, icons, etc. to supplement text.
- Check spelling, grammar, and readability.
- Be careful with abbreviations, jargon, complex language, or anything that might confuse the reader.
- AVOID THE USE OF ALL CAPS. IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO READ.
Structure your content instead of styling your content
- Use true heading styles <h1>, <h2>, <h3>, etc. to organize the elements on the page
- Do not skip levels between heading styles
- The headings will outline the content on the page, making it easier to navigate with screen readers and mouse-less interfaces
- Can get to desired content more quickly
- Use true bullets <ul> and numbers <ol> for lists
- Do not rely upon font changes in color, size, boldness, to indicate a new section
- Do not rely upon spaces or tabs to place content
Think about users with visual impairments
- Use strong contrast between text and background colors
- Do not use color alone to convey meaning
- Do not use descriptions that rely on sight (such as "click on the left square")
Ensure links are descriptive
- Avoid phrases such as
Click here to access MyOtis
- Use active phrases such as
Sign in to MyOtis
- Do not list URLs as links
Provide alternate text for images, video, audio, and tables
- Audio files must have a transcript or text equivalent readily available
- Video files must have closed captions and/or transcripts
- Provide transcripts of dialog in comics and other complex images
- Use alt tags to describe what's important about this image in relation to the other content on the page
- Describe the image in context ; will the alt text make sense when read aloud
- Put a period at the end of alt tag; it makes screen readers pause
- For purely decorative images, use <img alt="">; screen readers will skip it
- Transcribe text for screenshots, including tweets and other social media
- For data tables, use table, row, and column headings
Adapted from Creating Accessible Electronic Content
