Three easy accessibility skills for content editors
Web developers aren’t the only ones responsible for developing accessible digital content. Content editors and website managers also have an important role in building web content that is accessible. The University’s tools — the Drupal platform, the Folwell web theme, and the Pope Tech accessibility checker — are available to help make your role in publishing accessible digital content easier.
In addition to the tools available, the Accessible U website encourages you to start small and to start implementing even one accessibility skill in order to create a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable community for everyone. The following three skills are easy for content editors to implement when working to create accessible digital content.
Skill #1: Use the appropriate heading hierarchy
Headings are important both for aesthetic and accessibility reasons. The appropriate heading hierarchy should be used in cascading order from level 1 to 6, with level 1 showing the page title and subsequent headings to indicate each main section of the digital content. Using the correct heading hierarchy organizes your content in a clear and coherent way while also staying accessible for visitors using screen readers.
Find more best practice tips about headings on the Accessible U site and learn how to use headings with Folwell.
Skill #2: The importance of alt text for images, graphs, and charts
Alternative texts (commonly abbreviated as alt text) are written descriptions of any images or visual information, including graphs and charts, that may be displayed in your digital content. When writing alt text, consider what information needs to be conveyed by the image and what is important for them to understand it in this context. It’s important to be descriptive, accurate, and concise.
Find best practice tips about alt text on the Accessible U site and learn how to add alt text to images using Folwell.
Skill #3: Write concise, descriptive links
Links are quick and easy ways to connect one page to another while also making more information available to the reader. You can improve both the usability and accessibility of links by making them concise, descriptive, and meaningful out of context. Using phrases such as “click here” or “learn more” as links creates confusion on what the links redirect to. Meaningful links help visitors choose which links to follow easily without any complications.
Find best practice tips about links on the Accessible U site and learn how Folwell links are designed for accessibility.
If you build accessibility practices into how you regularly produce your digital content, you are proactively creating digital experiences and materials that are available and accessible to as many people as possible, now and in the future. Putting these three skills into practice is an easy way to get started.
If you have questions, email urweb@umn.edu.
Additional resources:
Seven core skills — Explore seven skills for creating digital content that is accessible for all.
Digital Accessibility Badging Program — Take a self-paced training that teaches you how to create digital content in an accessible way, without using code.
Accessibility Google Groups — Sign up to receive announcements about events and training opportunities relating to accessibility.