Accessibility Tips

Accessibility Tips

Starting in March 2015, Deque University began to publish accessibility tips weekly. This is the archive of those tips.

• Create a Logical Outline with Headings
• Alt Text Should Describe the Purpose of the Image, Not Necessarily the Image Itself
• MathML Cloud is a Free Online Tool for Creating Accessible Math
• Use Real Text Rather than Text in Images
• Add A Caption Track to Videos to Benefit Deaf Viewers
• Use link text that make sense when read out of context
• MS Word documents often require accessibility touchup after exporting to other formats
• Ensure all interactive features are keyboard-accessible
• Hire Real People with Disabilities for QA Testing
• Don't Use Color Alone to Convey Meaning
• Simplify Data Tables to Just Column Headers, if Possible
• Learn to Use VoiceOver on your Mac
• Use Labels for Forms to Maximize Screen Reader Compatibility
• Considerations for Low Vision Users
• Enhancing Visual Focus for the Sighted Keyboard User
• Use Page Titles to Improve Navigability
• Announce Web Page Changes to Screen Reader Users
• Static Content Should Be Logical Without CSS and Images
• When It's Possible, Use Existing Non-ARIA Elements for Names and Labels
• Avoid Using Tabindex with Positive Numbers
• Consider Using Text, Audio Descriptions to Enhance Video Accessibility
• Using ARIA Keyboard Patterns for Interactive Widgets
• Provide Alternatives for Timed Web Content
• Alert Users to Errors that Prevent Form Validation
• Identify Languages of HTML Documents
• Web Design Considerations for Cognitive Disabilities
• Ensure ATs Ignore Images that are Purely Decorative and Repetitive
• Check Text and Background for Sufficient Color Contrast
• Media Player Controls Should Be Keyboard Accessible, Screen Reader Compatible
• Use Valid Markup to Prevent Possible Accessibility Issues
• Make Sure PDF Documents are Tagged for Accessibility
• Manage Accessibility through Organizational Policy
• Use Both Visual and Non-Visual Methods to Emphasize Content
• Provide Long Descriptions for Complex Images
  • Detailed Description for the chart: Josephine's Squirrel Sightings, by Month
• Communicate Relationships Between Elements to AT Users
• Be Sure to Provide Titles for Iframes
• Add a "Skip Navigation" Link to Help Keyboard Users Reach Main Content Faster
• Clearly Identify Required Form Fields
• Add Text Transcripts for Video and Audio Elements
• Manage Focus for Natural Web Page Interaction
• Use Appropriate Semantic Markup for Lists