If you’re creating, curating or publishing content for a ǿմý website, email, social media platform or mobile application, these tips will help you make accessible content that can be consumed by all users and assistive devices.
All ǿմý content must strive to maintain a standard of accessibility to ensure that all users have the same experience. Additionally, university content must meet the Minimum Compliance Standards in order to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
So what do you need to do? Here’s a quick primer for all online content.
Text
- Text color must contrast the background color so it is visible for all users, including those with specific color blindness. by putting the hexadecimal color codes for the text (foreground) and the background. Both normal text and large text must pass WCAG AA.
See how to create proper color contrast. - Make links easy to find and descriptive; avoid the use of “click here” or other vague calls to action.
Learn how to write purposeful link text. - Do not use color to emphasize text.
Images
- Write alternative text that accurately describes each image. This includes charts that convey information.
Learn how to write better alternative text. - Describe each image in a collage from left to right, top to bottom.
- Avoid using text on images (for accessibility and readability purposes, especially on small mobile devices). If you must use text over an image, use contrasting color for the text and ensure your alt text explicitly states what your image shows.
- Forgo an image and use text when it can explain or illustrate a concept better than the image.
- Use images that maintain clarity when zoomed in.
Find out more about using quality images.
Audio and Video
- Provide captions for speech.
- Provide descriptions for visual media.
Non-text Content
Non-text content includes any content that requires user input or takes place within a specific time frame, including forms, videos and video controls, graphs, and animated page elements.
- Allow users to adjust the amount of time they have to interact with content.
Learn more about adjustable timing. - Limit or exclude flashing content.
Find out how flashing content affects your users. - Use content that allows users to correct mistakes (allow confirmation for important elements).
Discover the importance of input assistance and content validation. - Create content that behaves predictably.
Learn the basics of predictable content behavior.
Webpages
- Use descriptive, distinct titles for all pages—this means you shouldn't have two "About" pages on a website, even if they're in different sections. Instead, you could have an "About the Program" and an "About the Office" page.
- Break content into logical sections using headings
- Start each section with a descriptive heading
- Mark headings with the correct heading tags, starting with Heading 2 and moving to higher heading numbers for subheadings