Section headings - accessibility for web writers
Use headings to organise the sections or topics within an article or document. Headings break content into more manageable chunks, making a page or topic easier to understand.
Benefits of using headings
No one wants to be confronted by a wall of text on a web page. Headings help break up text and act as useful signposts to each part of the content on your page. For people with disabilities, headings are vital. People who:- listen to content using a screen reader, can listen first to the headings. This can help them understand the content structure, and find the part of the content they're looking for.
- use screen magnifiers rely on headings to orient themselves to a page.
- struggle to read, will be overwhelmed if content isn't broken up and labelled with headings.
How to use headings well
- Label all the key sections or messages in your content with a heading
- Try to include a heading every few paragraphs
- Avoid pages with no sub-headings
References
- Section headings - understanding success criterion 2.4.10
- Organising a page using headings - technique G141
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0