Best Practices
Below are some of WebAIM’s Principles of Accessible Design. Most can be implemented without compromising the overall look and feel of your LibGuide.
- Create logical document structure
Headings, lists, and other structural elements provide meaning and structure to web pages. They can also facilitate keyboard navigation within the page. - Write links that make sense out of context
Every link should make sense when read by itself. Screen reader users may choose to read only the links on a web page. Phrases like "click here" and "see more" must be avoided. - Provide alternative text for images
Alternative text provides a textual alternative to non-text content on web pages. It is especially helpful for people who are blind and rely on a screen reader to have the content of the website read to them. - Caption and/or provide transcripts for media
Videos and live audio must have captions and a transcript. With archived audio, a transcription may be enough. - Do not rely on color alone to convey meaning
Color can enhance comprehension but cannot alone convey meaning. That information may not be available to a person who is color blind and will be unavailable to screen reader users. - Make sure content is clearly written and easy to read
Write clearly and simply, and use headings and lists logically. - Ensure accessibility of PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and other non-HTML content.
PDF documents and other non-HTML content must be as accessible as possible. If you cannot make it accessible, consider using HTML instead or, at the very least, provide an accessible alternative.