Common Accessibility Issues
Explore accessibility concepts that affect various types of content, including websites, PDFs, and other document formats. Understanding these fundamental concepts can help you make changes that ensure all users can access and engage with your content effectively.
Alternative Text (Images)
Alternative Text is the short, written description that typically appears in place of an image on a webpage or in a document.
Captions (Videos)
Video captions is text that appears on a video to provide a visual alternatives to audio content. They are often called subtitles.
Color Contrast
Color contrast is the difference in brightness between colors in the foreground and background. It’s important for readability for those with low vision or color blindness.
Descriptive Link Text
Descriptive links provide users with proper context for links. In other words, they tell the user exactly where they will go if they click on a descriptive link.
Document Title & Language
A document's title and language are part of its metadata. Metadata is the descriptive information embedded within a file that helps identify and organize the document.
Heading
Headings are part of a document’s structure. They organize content into sections and help both sighted and assistive tech users navigate a document more easily.
Long Description
Long descriptions provide a textual version of the essential information conveyed in a detailed or complex image.
Permalinks
Permalinks, or permanent links, are web addresses that point to a specific resource online.
Reading Order
The reading order determines the order that a screen reader will read out content.
SmartArt
SmartArt is a tool in Microsoft Office that turns text into visuals like flowcharts, hierarchies, and diagrams.
Tables
Tables are a useful way to organize and present information clearly. When designed with accessibility in mind, they are more usable for everyone, including people with disabilities.
Transcripts (Audio & Video)
Transcripts provide an accurate text version of audio content, either for video or audio files. Transcripts are usually formatted as a downloadable document, most commonly in Word format.