Accessibility Tips

Techniques for improving web site accessibility.

Headings

The following guidelines should be borne in mind when adding headings to web pages:

• 57% of screen reader users use headings to navigate the page, whereas on 8.5% read through the page
• Headings should be short and concise
• Headings should only be used when followed by content
• By reading the headings alone users should get a good idea of the page contents
• Headings should be mainly used for page specific content, rather than content which appears on every page
• Heading tags should not be used to change font size or add emphasis.
• Appearance and presentation of text should be controlled via CSS rather than heading tags
• Heading levels can't be skipped i.e. you can't jump from <h1> to <h3>
• The contents of <h1> tag is of moderate importance to search engines
• Keywords in <h2> - <h6> tags are of low importance to search engines, but are of key importance to screen reader users
• Identification of structural elements of web pages, such as banners, menus and footers, are best achieved via the use of WAI-ARIA Landmarks

WCAG Success Criterion: 1.3.1 Info and Relationships

Check headings with: WAVE Toolbar Add-On for Firefox

Help

For assistance please contact Andrew Normand, Web Accessibility Program Leader
Email: anormand@unimelb.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 9035 4867