LibGuides Best Practices

Accessibility

Making your LibGuides content accessible benefits everyone: people with or without disabilities. The following list provides suggestions for accessibility practices that will make your content more user-friendly.

Text

• Use clear fonts:
  • Don't mix different font types. Stick to the default font (Sans Serif).
  • Use bold, color, italics, and ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, etc. sparingly; each has its own function.
  • Don't use underlines for emphasis. Users will think an underline is a hyperlink.
  • Use real text rather than text within graphics.
• Use headings and lists appropriately. Headings, lists, and other structural elements provide meaning and structure to web pages. They can also facilitate keyboard navigation within the page.
• Do not rely on color alone to convey meaning or importance. That information may not be available to a person who is colorblind and it will be unavailable to screen reader users.
• Ensure proper contrast between the font and the background. Optimize font color use for readability and accessibility.
• Make sure your content is clearly written and easy to read. Get more tips on writing clearly and simply.  Avoid dashes, abbreviations, and slang.

Graphics, Table and Links

• All Images need to have alternate text (ALT tags) included. Alternative text provides a textual alternative to non-text content (such as graphics or images). 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. Learn more about providing appropriate alternative text below.
• Tables should have appropriate table headers. Data cells should be associated with their appropriate headers, making it easier for screen reader users to navigate and understand the data table. Learn more about creating accessible tables.
• Make sure linked text makes sense out of context. Screen reader users may choose to read only the links on a web page. Certain phrases like “click here” and “more” must be avoided. Avoid automatically opening links in a new window.

Media and Other non-HTML Content

• Add captions and/or provide transcripts for media. For guidelines and resources to create video captions and transcripts, see The Ultimate Guide to Closed Captioning from 3PlayMedia. Edit automatic captions/transcripts.
• Ensure accessibility of non-HTML content. If you cannot make it accessible, consider using HTML instead or, at the very least, provide an accessible alternative. Learn more about creating accessible Word documents and creating accessible PDF files.

Attribution

Adapted from The University of Illinois who adapted it from WebAIM’s Principles of Accessible Design. 

Alt Text

Alt(ernative) Text can be provided to give additional information about an image or graphic. Sometimes this text displays when mousing over the image. It is especially important for accessibility purposes, as it gives a screen reader a description to read in place of the image. If this text is not provided, the screen reader will simply say "image" or read the file name.

Alt Text should be concise and clearly explain what the image is. In most situations, it is also helpful for Alt Text to give insight as to why the image is significant or why it was included. Many websites refer to this as capturing both the content and function of the image.

When you have the Image Properties (editing) window up, there is an Alternative Text field. 

Photo by Ethan Robertson on Unsplash

Attribution

Adapted from Butler University.