1. Page Titles:

Every webpage or document you create needs a clear and descriptive title that accurately reflects its content. This is crucial because screen readers announce titles, and they are displayed in browser tabs and search results.

For optimal accessibility, place important keywords at the beginning of your title, followed by more general information.

Example:

Instead of:
<title>UMC - Digital Accessibility | Resources for Content Creators</title>

Use:
<title>Resources for Content Creators | UMC - Digital Accessibility</title>

This "front-loading" approach helps users quickly understand the page's purpose, regardless of how they access the information.

2. Headings:

• Think of headings like the outline of a story:
  • They help organize your writing and make it easier to read.
  • They also help people who use screen readers (software that reads web pages aloud) understand how your content is organized.
• There are different levels of headings:
  • Think of them like the chapters and sections in a book.
  • The most important heading is called "Heading 1" (or H1 for short).
  • Then you have "Heading 2" (H2), "Heading 3" (H3), and so on.
• How to use headings:
  • The site title is usually an H1: This is the main title of your website that appears at the top of every page.
  • Start your page content with an H2: Use this for the main title of your page.
  • Use H3, H4, etc. for subheadings: These break down your content into smaller sections.
  • Go in order: Don't skip heading levels (like going from H2 to H4). This can confuse people using screen readers

3. Link Text:

When you add a link to your writing, use words that explain what the link is about.

• Good link text: Read the latest news about dog health.
• Bad link text: Click here for more information.

If you link to a document, tell people what kind of document it is. For example, write "download the volunteer application (Word document)."

4. Readability:

Readability is key to making your content accessible to everyone, including people with cognitive disabilities, learning differences, and those who are not native language speakers. Here are the basics:

1. Use clear and simple language:

• Choose familiar words: Avoid jargon, technical terms, and complex vocabulary.
• Write short sentences: Aim for an average of 20 words or less per sentence.
• Keep paragraphs short: Break down long blocks of text into smaller, digestible chunks.
• Use active voice: "The dog chased the ball" is clearer than "The ball was chased by the dog."

2. Consider your audience:

• Know your readers: Who are you writing for? What is their level of understanding?
• Use appropriate language: Adjust your writing style and vocabulary to suit your audience.
• Provide definitions: If you must use technical terms, provide clear definitions.

3. Use tools to check readability:

• Hemingway Editor: This free online tool helps you identify complex sentences, adverbs, and passive voice.
• Readable: This tool provides a readability score and suggests ways to improve your content.
• Built-in readability checkers: Many word processing programs (like Microsoft Word) have built-in readability checkers.