Megan Bartlett – Level 1
How to Create Accessible Content for The Web
Different Types of Accessibility Needs
Impaired Vision
Headings
Headings are what allows audio assistance to do its job to the best of its ability. Users are able to understand the flow of the content in the same context as a user who is physically looking at the page.
| Level of Headings | Use |
|---|---|
| Title | Used for the title of the web page (only used once on a page) |
| Heading 1 | Title to a new section there could be multiple within a single web page. Today I used three different types of disabilities to look out for when thinking of accessibility. |
| Heading 2 | Used under each of the different heading 1’s if there is more content that you want to separate underneath of each. |
| Heading 3 - 6 (or more!) | From heading three and on it uses the same structure as two. |
Images with Alternate Descriptions
Describing an image to a user who is unable to view the image or may even have difficulty fully comprehending the purpose and context of the image. Clear and concise descriptions are what makes this addition very effective.
Links/Buttons
Any link or button that you may include for a website must also be very concise with what the link is used for. Adding a description such as “click here” is not going to give the listener any context of what button they are about to click on.
Inability to Hear
Captions that go along with video
Any video that is included in the web page must include closed captions so that site goers that cannot hear the content whether that is due to a disability or being in a public space where the audio cannot be tuned on. Having access to this content in any circumstance is very important to allow the user to grasp all content of the page. It’s best practice to create your own captions rather than rely on AI generated ones. This creates less of a risk for users to miss any content (Click on image to access YouTube Video for subtitle tutorial).
Manuscripts for Audio Clips
Any audio included in the website should follow the same guidelines as a video.
Access without a mouse
Only use of keyboard
Some users require special keyboards/keyboard shortcuts that do not include a mouse. That could be due to multiple different reasons but mostly that they cannot move a mouse in a swift motion like many users. Not adapting your site to be direct-able without a mouse can leave out a large portion of potential site visitors. More information in the site linked below.
Floating focus CSS used to implement the use of alternative keyboards
Use of tablets
Users that are accessing the site from a tablet (or really any tap to touch device) should be able to be accessed the same way as from a regular computer. For some users this is much easier for them to access a site or potentially even the only way.