Accessible Content

Creating web content that follows accessibility legislation and guidelines ensures that your audience is able to access your content regardless of ability.

The main accessibility requirements can be summarized with the acronym HALT.

HALT stands for:

• Headings
• Alt Text (Images)
• Links
• Tables

Checking your content or document against the elements that make up HALT is a good way to begin testing your document for accessibility.

Writing accessible content

When writing web content, make sure to use:

• Clear, simple language appropriate for the content and audience
• Headings to structure longer webpages and documents

Headings help to divide large blocks of information into smaller, more manageable pieces. Headings also allow users to find the exact information they are looking for quickly and easily on a page. Proper use of headings helps with accessibility as well as search engine optimization (SEO).

You can also help users navigate and find content by using features such as hyperlinks and bulleted lists.

Avoid using the same hyperlink text for two or more links with completely different URLs (website addresses). Use images with alt text to add meaning to the content. Just remember that images should enhance content, not replace it.