Why do we need accessible content?
Accessible content is neatly organized and is easy to navigate by many types of web users. Since not all users on your site will be navigating solely with a mouse, keep the following users in mind when you draft content on your site:
- People with learning or cognitive disabilities (example: dyslexia, short-term memory)
- Users who utilize screen readers and want to easily navigate through a web page (example: to skip sections that are not important to them)
- Keyboard users who either cannot or do not choose to use their mouse to navigate a website (example: pressing the tab key to navigate the page)
- People using a mobile device to read content (while this may not be directly related to accessibility, it is still important)
- People who have disabled certain web features such as imagery, ads, or scripts.
Proper use of headings
Ensure your headings (h1, h2, h3, etc.) are used properly. Correctly nest your sub-headings by only placing h2 inside h1, and so forth. This is important because screen readers rely on your content hierarchy to help users navigate through the web page. When headings are out of order, it is difficult for users to discern the logical order of your content.
Siteimprove's accessibility feature will scan your content for proper nesting of headings. If you have nesting issues you will see the following warning: "Headings are not nested properly".
