Creating Accessible Content - A Guide for Content Creators

🎯 The Four WCAG Principles

1. Perceivable

Information must be presentable in ways users can perceive through sight, sound, or touch.

2. Operable

Interface components must be operable by all users, including keyboard-only navigation.

3. Understandable

Information and UI operation must be understandable to all users.

4. Robust

Content must work with various assistive technologies and remain accessible as technology advances.

📋 Content Creator's Accessibility Checklist

Use clear, descriptive headings (H1, H2, H3)

Write meaningful alt text for images

Ensure sufficient color contrast (4.5:1 ratio)

Use descriptive link text (avoid "click here")

Structure content with lists and tables

Provide captions for videos

Use simple, clear language

Test with keyboard navigation

💡 Best Practices for Content Creation

Writing Alt Text: Be descriptive but concise. Focus on the image's purpose and context, not just what you see.

Heading Structure: Use headings in order (H1 → H2 → H3). Don't skip levels for styling purposes.

Link Text: Make links descriptive of their destination. Include file types and sizes when relevant.

Color Usage: Don't rely solely on color to convey information. Always provide text alternatives.

🚫 Common Accessibility Mistakes to Avoid

Using "click here" or "read more" as link text

Images without alt text or with poor descriptions

Low color contrast between text and background

Using color alone to indicate important information

Auto-playing videos with sound

Forms without proper labels

Content that can't be navigated with keyboard

Using placeholder text as form labels

🛠️ Accessibility Testing Tools

WAVE Web accessibility evaluation tool

axe DevTools Browser extension for testing

Color Contrast Analyzer Check contrast ratios

Screen Reader Test with NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver

            Remember: Accessibility benefits everyone, not just people with disabilities. Good accessibility often means better usability for all users.
        

📝 Quick Writing Tips for Accessibility

Language & Structure

Use short, clear sentences
Define technical terms
Use active voice when possible
Break up long paragraphs
Use bullet points for lists

Visual Organization

Use consistent formatting
Include white space for readability
Organize content logically
Use tables for data, not layout
Provide content summaries

🌐 Creating Accessible Content