Accessible content

Content that is written for the web will be more accessible.

View the content standards for guidance.

Alternative text is needed for images, including more complicated images such as graphs.

You need to add meaningful alternative text for:

• charts
• images
• figures.

If you have text in an image, this should be repeated in alternative text.

You should avoid using:

• poor quality images
• poor colour contrast
• images containing lots of text.

Tips for alternative text

When adding alternative text to images, it should have:

• a shorter description for an image in the alternative text
• a long description in the text after the image explaining the information in the image.

When creating a file name:

• use hyphens to separate the words
• avoid spaces as these will be automatically replaced with characters ‘ ’
• do not include the name of the person who created the file
• do not include the date the file was created

For example:

Use: ‘the-big-splash-timetable.pdf’.

Avoid: ‘the big splash timetable JRichards 25 nov’ (the’ #big’ ’splash’ ’timetable’ ’jrichards’ ’25’ ’nov.pdf).

We use documents for formal documentation such as policies.

We avoid using documents for leaflets and posters because these typically go against the Accessibility Regulations introduced in September 2020, which place a legal duty on public sector organisations to make sure websites and apps meet accessibility requirements.

Find out more about the Accessibility Regulations.

Always consider if the information in documents should be published on a web page. This way it’s more accessible, mobile-friendly and easier to find through the search.

If a document has to be uploaded, use Microsoft Word instead of a PDF.

When creating a document, there are a few things you should do to make sure everyone is able to access the content within the document.

Layout

You should:

• use headings in a logical structure, such as heading 1, heading 2
• for longer documents, use a table of contents based on the headings used
• use bulleted lists, this can break content up and make it easier to understand important points
• always use left alignment to ensure even spacing between words
• use double or 1.5 spacing between lines and leave at least one line between paragraphs.

Tables

You should:

• keep them simple
• avoid merged cells
• ensure you have a header row
• avoid using tables to structure your content
• provide a clear explanation for what a table is going to show.

Hyperlinks

You should use descriptive words for hyperlinks.

A good example is: Pay your Medway Council Tax online

A bad example is: www.medway.gov.uk/info/200131/council-tax/13/pay-your-council-tax

You should also avoid using 'click here' for links.

Guidance for creating accessible documents

• adding good chart alternative text
• adding accessible chart titles
• how to create accessible pie charts
• how to create accessible bar charts
• how to create accessible line charts
• how to create accessible tables
• chart formatting guidance
• accessible colours in charts.

Overlays could be seen to help users with disabilities access websites. However, overlays can come with accessibility issues.

Reasons to avoid using overlays

Interfering with screen readers

The use of overlays can interfere with screen readers like JAWS and NVDA.

This can cause more issues because they can make a site unusable.

They do not fix accessibility issues

Overlays do not correct issues with accessibility and they can also create new ones.

The problem with overlays is they can mask real issues on a website and make it more difficult for users to access information with screen readers and browser add-ons.

Overlays are not a quick fix

If your website has accessibility issues, overlays are not the answer.

It's important to identify accessibility issues with a website rather than using an overlay.

Content that is posted on social media is also required to be accessible for disabled users.

Accessible Social has guidance to make social media posts accessible including:

• audio and video
• copy and formatting
• images and visuals.