Images & Alt Text
Do
- Add alt text to all meaningful images
- Describe the image's purpose, not just what it shows
- Keep alt text concise (under 125 characters)
- Mark decorative images as decorative (empty alt="")
- Describe charts and graphs with key data points
Don't
- Leave images without alt text
- Start alt text with "Image of" or "Picture of"
- Write overly long, detailed descriptions
- Use images of text instead of real text
- Repeat information already in surrounding text
Headings & Structure
Do
- Use one H1 per page
- Nest headings logically (H2, then H3, etc.)
- Use headings to create a logical outline
- Apply heading styles in Word, not just bold text
- Make headings descriptive and unique
Don't
- Skip heading levels (H2 H4)
- Use headings for visual styling alone
- Make bold paragraphs instead of real headings
- Use multiple H1s on a page
- Create empty or vague headings
Links
Do
- Write descriptive link text
- Make link text unique on the page
- Indicate file types (PDF, Word)
- Warn if link opens in new window
- Use <a> for navigation, <button> for actions
Don't
- Use "click here" or "read more" alone
- Use URLs as link text
- Link entire paragraphs
- Open links in new tabs without warning
- Style buttons as links or vice versa
Color & Contrast
Do
- Use 4.5:1 contrast for normal text
- Use 3:1 contrast for large text and UI
- Test colors with a contrast checker
- Use color + another indicator (icon, text)
- Test designs in grayscale
Don't
- Use light gray text on white backgrounds
- Rely on color alone to convey meaning
- Use red/green as only differentiator
- Ignore focus indicator contrast
- Skip testing with color blindness simulators
Forms
Do
- Label every form field
- Associate labels with inputs programmatically
- Group related fields with fieldset/legend
- Provide clear error messages
- Indicate required fields explicitly
Don't
- Use placeholder as the only label
- Rely on color alone to show errors
- Time out forms too quickly
- Reset forms without warning
- Use CAPTCHAs without alternatives
Keyboard & Focus
Do
- Make all functionality keyboard-accessible
- Keep focus indicators visible
- Maintain logical tab order
- Provide skip links
- Let users Escape from modals
Don't
- Remove focus outlines without replacement
- Create keyboard traps
- Use positive tabindex values
- Require mouse for any feature
- Auto-advance focus unexpectedly
Video & Audio
Do
- Add captions to all videos
- Edit auto-captions for accuracy
- Include speaker identification
- Provide transcripts for audio
- Add audio descriptions when needed
Don't
- Rely on auto-captions without editing
- Autoplay video with sound
- Flash content more than 3 times/second
- Omit speaker names in captions
- Use audio without text alternative
Documents
Do
- Use built-in heading styles
- Run accessibility checker before sharing
- Add alt text to images
- Create real tables with headers
- Use meaningful hyperlink text
Don't
- Create structure with manual formatting
- Use text boxes for layout in Word
- Scan documents as images without OCR
- Create fake tables with tabs/spaces
- Share inaccessible PDFs
Social Media
Do
- Add alt text to images (most platforms support it)
- Use CamelCase for hashtags (#AccessibilityMatters)
- Put @mentions and hashtags at the end
- Add captions to video content
- Describe animated GIFs
Don't
- Post images without descriptions
- Overuse emojis or special characters
- Use ASCII art or decorative text
- Post videos without captions
- Share inaccessible content
Printable Posters
Download these guides to share with your team: