Seven steps for creating more inclusive digital content

Making documents accessible might seem daunting but you can get started in just seven steps. In addition to removing barriers, these steps often result in a more efficient document creation process for you, the creator. Use these steps with your word processing and PDF documents, presentation slides, and web pages.

Headings

Structure documents and web pages using built-in headings based on the organizational hierarchy of the document (Heading 1, Heading 2, …) or web page (<h1>, <h2>…).

Images

If an image is meaningful, describe the purpose or content it conveys using alternative text, imagining what text you'd have written if not using the image. Otherwise mark the image decorative.

Links

Use link text that describes the link's destination or function. For example, instead of "click here" or "read more", use "read more about Psychology 101".

Color

Use text colors that strongly contrast with the background. Don’t use color as the only way to identify something.

Lists

Format numbered or bulleted lists using the software's built-in list tools or <ol> or <ul> on a web page.

Tables

Use the software's built-in table tool only for formatting tabular data (not for page layout) and include meaningful column and/or row headers to describe the data.

Video/audio

Ensure all videos are accurately captioned and provide transcripts for audio-only files.