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Daniel LaGrow

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Your headings need to provide some detail about what the content will be about. This rule applies to all headings of any place in a hierarchy or title. Instead of using generic headings like “Day 1” or “Part 1”, try including more details.

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Warning

This example lacks important details. The headings say too little about what their section is about.

A list of reasons why accessibility matters. The reason headings are named Reason 1, 2, and 3.Image Removed

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Tip

This example shows headings that are more descriptive. Now when a screen reader reads the section to the reader they will know some info about what section they will read.

A list of reasons why accessibility matters with descriptive names for the reasons.Image Removed

Rule 2: Use Text Styles

A common practice for making headings is to make the text very big and bold. While that does make the content look like a heading, it is still not a real heading. Text Styles are used to make the text be seen as a heading in its code. That way when a screen reader scans over the heading, it will be read as one. You can use text styles for Normal Text, several Heading sizes, Titles, and many other types of text. Text Styles can also change the size of the text, the spacing, and the color of the font.

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  1. Highlight your text at the top. Go to the “Styles Panel” in the Home Tab and select “Title”. Note, you do have the ability to change the styles font. You can do this by highlighting your text and right clicking the style you are using. Then click Update “Heading” to Selection.

    The styles panel in MS Word with Title highlighted with a red box.

  2. Highlight your text that you want for your first group. In this case we will use “Introduction” Go back to the “Styles Panel” and click “Heading 1”.

    Styles Panel, with Heading 1 highlighted with a red box.

  3. Highlight your text that are going to be in a group. Go back to the “Styles Panel” and click “Heading 2”.

    Styles Panel with Heading 2 highlighted with a red box.

  4. Your hierarchy is established, and now readers will be able to tell where the section starts and ends. Be sure to open the Navigation Panel to be sure the hierarchy is established. The items in with Heading 2 must be under the items with Heading 1.

    Example of accessible headings with different levels.Image Added

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Tip

In this example, the headings are listed with a meaningful style.

Example of accessible headings with different levels.Image RemovedNavigation Panel in Microsoft Word showing the page hierarchy.Image Removed

Info

Note: Be sure to not skip the hierarchical levels. If you have “Inclusivity and Equity” as Heading 1 and “Social Interaction” as Heading 2, a section with your Heading 2 cannot be Heading 1, 2 or 4. They must be set as a Heading 3. Be sure to not have any heading styles overlap in the Navigation Panel. Titles should always be above Heading 1, and Heading 1 text should always be above Heading 2 text and so on.

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