1. Providing Informative, Unique Page Titles
Question: Why is it important to provide informative, unique page titles for web pages?
Answer: Page titles serve as a crucial element of web accessibility. For each web page, it’s essential to create a short title that effectively describes the page’s content and distinguishes it from other pages. The page title is often aligned with the main heading of the page. To enhance accessibility, place the unique and most relevant information at the forefront of the title. For multi-step processes, include the current step in the page title.
Example:
- Home page title: Space Teddy Inc.
- Page name followed by organization name: Latest News • Space Teddy Inc.
- Page name including step in a process: Buy Your Bear (Step 1 of 3) • Space Teddy Inc.
2. Using Headings to Convey Meaning and Structure
Question: How can headings be used to convey meaning and structure for web content?
Answer: Headings play a crucial role in web accessibility. To provide clear structure and meaning to your content, use short headings to group related paragraphs and describe sections effectively. Well-structured headings offer users an outline of the content, making it easier to navigate and comprehend.
Example:
- Lack of headings: Illustration of no headings, see below for detailed example
- Using headings and subheadings: Illustration of good heading structure, see below for detailed example
3. Making Link Text Meaningful
Question: Why is it important to make link text meaningful on web pages?
Answer: Meaningful link text is a fundamental aspect of web accessibility. When writing link text, ensure it accurately describes the content of the link target. Avoid using ambiguous link text like “click here” or “read more.” Instead, provide relevant information about the link target, including document type and size, if applicable.
Example:
- No information: For more information on device independence, click here.
- Meaningful information: Read more about device independence.
4. Writing Meaningful Text Alternatives for Images
Question: Why should meaningful text alternatives be written for images on web pages?
Answer: Writing meaningful alternative text for images is essential for accessibility. Each image should have an alternative text that conveys the image’s information or function. For purely decorative images, there’s no need for alternative text.
Example:
- Uninformative: Charging phone
- Informative: Plug cable into the bottom edge of the phone.
5. Creating Transcripts and Captions for Multimedia
Question: Why is it important to create transcripts and captions for multimedia content on websites?
Answer: Transcripts and captions are essential for making multimedia content accessible. For audio-only content like podcasts, providing a transcript is crucial. For audio and visual content, such as training videos, captions should be included. These transcripts and captions should encompass spoken information, significant sounds, and descriptions of important visual content. This ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can fully understand the content.
6. Providing Clear Instructions
Question: How can clear instructions improve web accessibility?
Answer: Clear instructions, guidance, and error messages are integral to web accessibility. Instructions should be clear, easy to understand, and devoid of unnecessarily technical language. Input requirements, such as date formats, should be described explicitly to aid users in completing forms and tasks effectively.
Example:
- Instructions: Password should be at least six characters with at least one number (0-9).
- Error message: The username ‘superbear’ is already in use. The password needs to include at least one number.
7. Keeping Content Clear and Concise
Question: Why is it important to keep web content clear and concise for accessibility?
Answer: Clear and concise content is a cornerstone of web accessibility. It involves using simple language, formatting, and presentation styles appropriate for the context. To enhance accessibility:
- Write in short, clear sentences and paragraphs.
- Avoid unnecessarily complex words and phrases.
- Expand acronyms on first use and consider providing a glossary.
- Use list formatting as appropriate.
- Utilize images, illustrations, video, audio, and symbols to enhance clarity and meaning.
These practices ensure that content is comprehensible and inclusive to a wide range of users.
