Accessibility Practices
Mizzou adopted the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA. The most current version is WCAG 2.1. Explore WCAG built around four core principles, and use the following practices to get started.
- Write in plain language, avoiding jargon.
- Give each page a descriptive and unique page title.
- Use HTML heading tags (<h1>to <h6>)
- Use HTML list tags (<ul>, <ol>, and <dl>)
- Provide link text that describes where the link goes and gives meaning out of context.
- Avoid phrases like “click here,” “learn more” and “read more”.
- Underline links for quick identification.
- Do not underline non-link text.
Write effective link text
- Ensure the contrast ratio between text color and the background color is at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
- Avoid gold on white: Accessible Text & Color.
- Visit the Check Accessibility webpage for a list of contrast checkers.
- Do not use color as the only method to convey meaning.
- Include an additional descriptive component such as text, patterns, or shapes.
- W3C’s Color Alone Examples
- Learn more about Contrast and Color Accessibility (WebAIM).
- Provide alternative (
alt
) text on non-text content that conveys meaning, such as images. - Keep the
alt
text concise (about 125 characters). - Hide images from screen readers that do have meaning or are for decoration.
- Use an empty alt value (
alt=""
) - The W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative states, “Whether to treat an image as decorative or informative is a judgment only the author can make, based on the reason for including the image on the page.”
- Use an empty alt value (
- Avoid images with text when possible. If necessary, add alt text.
- Try out the alt Decision Tree
- Use the Alternative (Alt) Text Guide by The Ohio State University
Write effective alt text
- Avoid using tables for layout.
- Structure tables using table headers (
th
) and table data (td
) elements. - Tables concepts tutorial
- Make video accessible through closed captioning.
- Make audio files accessible through transcripts.
- How to: Make Audio and Video Accessible
Make sure all content on the website is usable with the keyboard.
Create an accessibility statement for your website. Users of your content will usually refer to accessibility statements when they encounter problems. Provide information that is useful to the users and is easy to find. Use the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) tool to create an Accessibility Statement.
Check for Accessibility
As you design, develop, or create digital content, always check accessibility.
Resources
- Digital Services Content Management Best Practices
- Digital Accessibility Foundations – Free Online Course
- Introduction to ARIA – Accessible Rich Internet Applications (Developers)
- Learn Accessibility – Free Online Course
- Making the Web Accessible
- University of Missouri Contracted Document Remediation Service Providers