- Heading Styles
Headings should be added using the content authoring software to assist screen readers in creating an outline of the page. This allows the user to navigate between headings easily.
- Descriptive Links
When adding a link to your content, be sure to describe the website. Students who are using a screen-reader have the ability to jump from link to link. By using “click here,” they are unable to identify where the link will take them.
- Alternative Text
Alternative Text or “alt text” is used to textually describe an image for those who are unable to see it. When using a screen reader, it will dictate that an image is present followed by the alternative text. If an image is used for decoration or contains no information, a setting can be enabled that will skip over the image.
When creating any list, it is recommended to use the list tool available in the content authoring software. The benefit of using the list tool versus creating your own is that the screen reader will be able to identify the group of information.
- Data Tables
Tables should only be used to display tabular data and not to design page layouts. When used as layout tables, users using a screen reader are unable to identify information as there is no structure.