Start from Accessibility
This site has a single aim: to help you to make web content more accessible at Carleton.
It is best to create accessible content from the start. This also improves a website’s usability and searchability, ensures AODA compliance, and saves time and money. Approaching accessibility by viewing it as a way to improve a website’s overall content means that it is a crucial strategy to building great sites.
How to use this site
Use the links below to view areas of best practice in accessibility. Each record demonstrates the importance of the practice and includes examples of how to make your own content more accessible. Check your site to see if you are following best practices.
Top accessibility tips
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Alt text should appear on some images
Make sure images that need it have a concise description of what is being conveyed in a picture.
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Always give a page a proper hierarchy
Page hierarchy creates a way a page can be read by a screen reader, or by a user who scans the page visually.
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Hyperlink text should convey what a link will do
Don’t leave users guessing what will happen when a link is clicked – give them context and clear wording.
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Make information clear, concise, and legible
Accessibility Text information must be clear and concise. It should be broken down visually to help not overwhelm the user. Reason Creating clear and concise …
All web accessibility resources
Accessibility best practices – pattern template
Accessibility Reason Best practice Example of poor practice Additional benefits Usability SEO Marketing What WCAG says (Be sure to learn more about errors and alerts.) …
Alt text on a linked image describes the action
Accessibility Alt text must always appear on an image which is being used as a link. Reason Although not every image needs to have alt …
Alt text should appear on some images
Make sure images that need it have a concise description of what is being conveyed in a picture.
Always give a page a proper hierarchy
Page hierarchy creates a way a page can be read by a screen reader, or by a user who scans the page visually.
Avoiding colour to alert users to meaning
Accessibility Alerting your users is important and we have many ways to do this. The best way is almost always text/language. Reason Some methods used …
Convey meaning in text, not images
Images should not have text that is attempting to convey a meaning or message.
Create proper subheadings
Accessibility Because subheadings are key to navigable, accessible pages, they must be created correctly, not just by bolding text. Reason Subheadings are critical to accessible …
Ensure text colour contrasts with background colour
Accessibility Text should always be rendered on the page in a colour that contrasts well enough with the background to make it most legible. Reason …
Hyperlink text should convey what a link will do
Don’t leave users guessing what will happen when a link is clicked – give them context and clear wording.
Hyperlinks must be in proper language
Make sure you use clear text, and never a URL as the text for a link
Make information as succinct as possible
Page hierarchy creates a way a page can be read by a screen reader, or by a user who scans the page visually.
Make information clear, concise, and legible
Accessibility Text information must be clear and concise. It should be broken down visually to help not overwhelm the user. Reason Creating clear and concise …
No need to employ visual cues in text aside from sub-headings
Accessibility We do not need to provide visual cues in texts to break up a page (for example by using a string of underscores or …
Proper use of tables
Accessibility Tables must be used carefully so that all users—including those using screen readers—can understand how information is organized. When a table is structured properly, …
Use bold and emphasis to emphasize text
Accessibility The best ways to emphasize text is to use bold text or emphasized text, never colours or underlined text Reason It’s tempting to bring …
Use lower and upper case letters appropriately
The use of appropriate lower and upper case letters makes text much more recognizable, legible, and accessible.
Varying link language
Accessibility Hyperlinks and button text should not be repetitive across a page. Reason A common method for users who employ a screen reader is to …