Web Accessibility in Drupal

Best practices for creating accessible content in Drupal

  1. Ensure images have meaningful alternative text. When uploading an image to the Media Library, add alternative text that concisely describes the purpose of the image. This allows users who cannot see the image to understand the content of the page. Avoid using phrases like "image of" or "picture of". Instead, focus on describing the image's key purpose or message.
  2. Avoid generic link text like "Click here" or "Read more." Link text should clearly describe the destination or purpose of the link. For example, use phrases like "access our support form" or "view the annual report in Box". Descriptive links improve accessibility for users with screen readers and enhance the overall user experience.
  3. Avoid images that contain text. All essential content should be included as normal web text rather than embedded in images. Text within images can be inaccessible to users who rely on assistive technology. If an image must include text, ensure the same information is also available elsewhere on the page.
  4. Use proper heading structure. In most cases, the title of your page should be a Heading 1 (H1) and should be the only H1 on the page. Subheadings should follow a logical order typically starting with Heading 2 (H2) for section headings. Use true heading elements rather than bolding text, and do not choose headings based on their appearance. A well-structured heading hierarchy improves accessibility for all users and helps search engines understand your content.
  5. Use the default styles provided in Tulane’s Drupal theme. Avoid manually changing text size or color, as this can affect readability and accessibility. The default theme ensures sufficient color contrast and font size to meet accessibility standards. Additionally, our development team continuously updates the Drupal theme, and using default styles ensures these improvements will not negatively impact your site.

Additional resources