Digital Accessibility Basics | CS17 Learning Centre

Understanding the topic

Accessible content helps people with different vision, hearing, mobility and cognitive needs. Clear structure, readable contrast, descriptive links and text alternatives improve usability for everyone.

Use the examples below as a starting point, then adapt the method to your own situation.

Step-by-step approach

Use proper headings; write descriptive links; add meaningful image descriptions; caption relevant video; test keyboard navigation.

Identify the purpose and information you need.
Follow the recommended method carefully.
Check your result against the original purpose.
Revise anything unclear or incomplete.

Examples at a glance

Situation	Example	Explanation
Heading	Use a real Heading 2 style instead of only large bold text.	Assistive technology can navigate document structure.
Link	“Read the refund policy” instead of “click here”.	The destination is clear out of context.
Image	Describe the information shown in a chart.	Readers who cannot see the chart still get the key result.
Colour	Label errors with text, not only red highlighting.	The message remains understandable without colour.

Four worked examples

Example 1: Heading

Starting point: Use a real Heading 2 style instead of only large bold text.

Why this works: Assistive technology can navigate document structure.

Example 2: Link

Starting point: “Read the refund policy” instead of “click here”.

Why this works: The destination is clear out of context.

Example 3: Image

Starting point: Describe the information shown in a chart.

Why this works: Readers who cannot see the chart still get the key result.

Example 4: Colour

Starting point: Label errors with text, not only red highlighting.

Why this works: The message remains understandable without colour.

Common mistakes

Using images of text when selectable text is possible.
Relying on colour alone to communicate meaning.
Skipping labels on form fields.

Practice questions

Think about your answer, then expand each question to compare.

Question 1: What is the main purpose of digital accessibility basics?

Question 2: What is a useful first step?

Use proper headings; write descriptive links; add meaningful image descriptions; caption relevant video; test keyboard navigation.

Question 3: How would you handle this situation: Heading?

Assistive technology can navigate document structure.

Question 4: What does this example teach: Describe the information shown in a chart.?

Readers who cannot see the chart still get the key result.

Question 5: Name one mistake to avoid.

Using images of text when selectable text is possible.

Review checklist

Can you explain the main idea in your own words?
Can you apply the method to a new example?
Have you checked the relevant facts, figures and instructions?
Can you identify a common mistake and avoid it?