Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG) is the latest version of the definitive web accessibility guidelines from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
Familiarize yourself with the basics of accessibility with these articles:
Top Ten Accessibility Standards
This is not a comprehensive list of the ADA requirements, but a good place to start. By implementing these tips, you’ll make your content more inclusive and usable for a broader audience.
01. Color Contrast
Use sufficient color contrast for low vision and color blindness for a minimum ratio of 4.5:1 between the text and background color. Add labels or icons in addition to color to convey information.
02. Alternative Text
Add descriptive alt text to images so screen readers can convey their purpose to visually impaired users. Keep the descriptions concise but informative, focusing on the essential information conveyed by the image.
03. Headings & Structures
Organize content with clear headings, subheadings, and lists to help users navigate easily. Properly structured HTML tags (e.g., <h1>, <h2>, <ul>) improve compatibility with assistive technologies like screen readers.
04. Reading & Navigation Order
Ensure screen reader users and people reliant on tabbing can read or navigate files and websites. Be mindful of the order elements are added in Microsoft PowerPoint as they can cause elements to be read out of sequence.
05. True Tables with Headers
True tables with proper headers organize information better and enhances accessibility for people using assistive technologies like screen readers.
06. Descriptive Hyperlinks
Describe hyperlinks within the display text and the alternative text for links to improve accessibility, usability, and clarity of the link’s purpose and destination. An example of a descriptive hyperlink is IT Accessibility at UConn.
07. Captions & Transcripts
Offer transcripts for audio content and captions for videos to accommodate users who are deaf, hard of hearing, or prefer to consume content in text form. Ensure captions are accurate and synchronized with the audio.
08. Document Title
The Document Title should be added to all documents and written using plain language with no acronyms so it is easily read by screen readers instead of the file name.
09. Clear & Simple Language
Write in plain language to ensure content is understandable for people with varying literacy levels. Avoid jargon, technical terms, or complex sentences unless necessary, and provide explanations when they are used.
10. Accessibility Checkers & Tools
Use accessibility checkers to help identify potential barriers to accessibility, such as missing alt text for images, improperly structured headings, poor color contrast, and accessibility issues. Microsoft Office Accessibility Checker is one of many great examples.