Content Structure
On this page:
Summary
Logical content organization is critical to improving accessibility for all learners, including those with cognitive disabilities and those that use screen readers. Structure allows your users to quickly navigate your content, locating and understanding key information. It’s important to leverage the tools of the software you’re using to properly format your material beyond just its appearance.
Impact
Headings
The use of headings creates content organization. Without headings, a user with a screen reader would need to parse through every word of your document to find what they’re looking for. Think of a newspaper with different articles on the same page. If there are no headings, you won’t be able to distinguish one article from the next.
Lists
Lists can break content up to demonstrate steps in a process, present key concepts, or reduce reader fatigue. Create accessible lists by using the built-in bullets or numbers in the content navigation bar.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Use pre-set headings to structure your document using the Styles menu.
- Use Headings and Subheadings in order (H1, then H2, H3, and so on).
- Use pre-set lists to structure lists.
Don’ts
- Don't format sections of content using only varied font sizes or colors.
- Don’t manually create lists using symbols like dashes, asterisks, carats, arrows, etc.
How-To
Leverage your software’s built-in formatting tools. For example, Microsoft Word’s list and style options can be found under the “Home” tab of your document:
The Accessible Text-Based Material (PDF) document provides information on creating content structure within your document.
