Resources for Learning the Core Concepts of Digital Accessibility

The Core Concepts of Digital Accessibility address a majority of the barriers to digital content and technology. 

This page provides links to external resources, such as training videos, articles, and supplementary educational materials. For more information on the Core Concepts, visit the WSU Digital Accessibility website.

Core Concepts

  • 5 heading accessibility issues and how to fix them
    Source: Pope Tech

    Learn what a heading structure is, how to help accessibility, and the 5 accessibility issues to avoid.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Article, Sept-2025
  • 8 Common Heading Questions
    Source: Pope Tech

    Get answers to heading questions like: Can I have more than one h1? When are skipped heading levels ok? And, do you have to start a page with a h1?

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Article, Oct-2025
  • A complete guide for content creators to start making accessible content
    Source: Pope Tech

    Learn how to embed web accessibility into your process using WAVE and accessibility basics.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Resource, Tests & Check Lists Tags: Article
  • A guide to alt text across popular tools
    Source: Pope Tech

    In this article, we’ll list out several tools and give details about their alt text support and tips for the best way to add accessible images in the tool.

    Categories: Alternative Text (Social Media), Core Concepts, Documents & Presentations, Email & HTML Email Design, Images, Resource, Social Media Tags: Article
  • Accessibility and QR codes
    Source: Terta Logical

    Quick Response (QR) codes are graphics that can be scanned to direct people online to complete an action or find content. This blog post explores considerations and provides guidance for creating accessible experiences with QR codes.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Posters & Infographics, QR Codes, Resource Tags: Article
  • Accessible building blocks for web: Form fields
    Source: TetraLogical

    In this video, learn how to design and build forms that everyone can fill in with ease. By applying accessibility considerations to the building blocks of your web content you can create digital products that everyone can use.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Resource, Web Design & Development, Web Development Tags: Video
  • Accessible building blocks for web: headings
    Source: TetraLogical

    In this video, learn how to write, design, and implement accessible headings that are easy to perceive and understand for everyone. By applying accessibility considerations to the building blocks of your web content you can create digital products that everyone can use.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Video
  • Accessible building blocks for web: images
    Source: TetraLogical

    In this video, learn how to ensure that images on websites are easy to perceive and flow logically with the rest of the content. Also, discover the importance of clear and accurate text descriptions. By applying accessibility considerations to the building blocks of your web content you can create digital products that everyone can use.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Video
  • Accessible building blocks for web: links
    Source: TetraLogical

    In this video, learn how to create links that are clear, easy to identify, and work well for people who use a keyboard and other assistive technology. By applying accessibility considerations to the building blocks of your web content you can create digital products that everyone can use.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Links, Resource Tags: Video
  • Accessible heading structure
    Source: The A11y Project

    Headings are the backbone of the content of a page. Heading levels have meaning, especially for screen reader users and search engines. Write well-structured headings, because what is good for your reader, is also good for your SEO.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Article, Oct-2025
  • Accessible heading structures for home pages
    Source: Pope Tech

    Home pages usually differ from the typical content page. Their language uses more marketing copy to showcase a product’s or service’s benefits.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Article
  • Accessible QR Codes – The Ultimate Guide
    Source: Access Lab

    You may think that QR codes are great for securing your login, or letting users read more online about a product marketed in a news paper ad. But there is a high risk you are creating barriers for people with disabilities, unless you use QR codes correctly. This article is your ultimate guide to accessible QR codes!

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, QR Codes, Resource Tags: Article
  • ADA Compliance Video Captions For Online Accessibility
    Source: ADA Compliance Firm

    Discover the ADA standards for video captions, including accuracy, completeness, and synchronization.

    Categories: Audio and Video, Captioning, Core Concepts, Multimedia, Resource Tags: Article
  • ADA Video Compliance Checklist
    Source: A11y Collective

    A11y Collective’s ADA video compliance checklist to ensure accessibility and avoid legal risks. Get practical steps that work.

    Categories: Audio and Video, Audio Description, Captioning, Multimedia, Resource, Transcripts Tags: Article
  • Alt text decide-o-matic
    Source: Scottish Enterprise Design blog

    This interactive decision tree is based on the W3C’s alt text decision tree.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Tool
  • Alt Text for Accessibility
    Source: Level Access

    The importance of alt text for accessibility (and beyond) with practical tips for writing it more effectively.

    Categories: Images, Resource Tags: Article
  • Alt Text: What to Write
    Source: Nielsen Norman Group

    Images are decorative, functional, or informative. Skip alt text for decorative. Describe the action for functional. Convey the message for informative.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Article
  • Alternative text image types and when the alt attribute should be empty
    Source: Pope Tech

    Learn about the three types of images when it comes to alternative text and when the alt attribute should be empty.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Oct-2025, Video
  • Alternative text in the wild: 5 alternative text examples
    Source: Pope Tech

    Writing alternative text seems straightforward – just add a description to an image. In this article, we’ll go through 5 alternative text examples found on real websites. We’ll explain why the example is right or could be better to help you make the best alternative text choices for your own images.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Article
  • Beginner’s guide to accessible tables
    Source: Pope Tech

    There are two types of tables: data and layout tables. Data tables organize information using headers. Layout tables add structure to a webpage, like columns, and should be avoided.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Resource, Tables Tags: Article
  • Beginner’s guide to lists and how to make them accessible
    Source: PopeTech

    HTML lists are just lists that have the correct HTML behind them. When the HTML is correct, screen readers can navigate and read the list more easily. When writing content, lists group together related pieces of information.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Lists, Resource Tags: Article
  • Check Heading Accessibility Using the WAVE Tool
    Source: Pope Tech

    Learn why headings matter and watch two examples of how headings are used to navigate with Mac’s VoiceOver screen reader. We’ll also show how to use WebAIM’s WAVE tool to see the heading structure and any errors.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Oct-2025, Video
  • Common Accessibility Challenges When Navigating Tables
    Source: UsableNet

    Some of the most common accessibility challenges faced when navigating online tables with a screen reader.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Resource, Tables
  • Contrast Checker
    Source: WebAIM

    Check the foreground and background color using the hexadecimal format. Plus, use the Alpha value for transparency and the Luminance slider for perceived lightness.

    Categories: Color & Color Contrast, Core Concepts, Resource, Tools Tags: Tool
  • Cooper Hewitt Guidelines for Image Description
    Source: Cooper Hewitt

    These guidelines are designed to be both comprehensive and responsive, providing guidance while remaining flexible enough to evolve.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Article
  • Everything to Know About the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Video Compliance
    Source: 3PlayMedia

    In this blog, we’ll give you a high-level overview of the ADA, explore how Titles II and III of the ADA apply to web accessibility, learn what the DOJ’s new rule means, and share tips for making your videos accessible and ADA-compliant.

    Categories: Audio and Video, Audio Description, Captioning, Core Concepts, Multimedia, Resource Tags: Article
  • Fix alternative text issues using the free WAVE accessibility checker
    Source: Pope Tech

    We’ll use the free WAVE extension in this video to review alternative text.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images Tags: Oct-2025, Video
  • Foundations: lists
    Source: Tetra Logical

    A list is generally agreed to be a series of words or phrases that are grouped together for a reason. That reason might be to remember the items we want from the store, to share our top five favorite movies, or to write down the steps needed to complete a task.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Lists, Resource Tags: Article
  • Getting tables right: Clear, accessible, and effective
    Source: Funka Foundation

    A video with an overview of tables from the user perspective and some practical tips.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Resource, Tables Tags: Jan-2026, Video
  • Headings
    Source: W3C: Web Accessibility Initiative

    Heading ranking and page organization information.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Article

Headings

  • 5 heading accessibility issues and how to fix them
    Source: Pope Tech

    Learn what a heading structure is, how to help accessibility, and the 5 accessibility issues to avoid.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Article, Sept-2025
  • 8 Common Heading Questions
    Source: Pope Tech

    Get answers to heading questions like: Can I have more than one h1? When are skipped heading levels ok? And, do you have to start a page with a h1?

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Article, Oct-2025
  • Accessible building blocks for web: headings
    Source: TetraLogical

    In this video, learn how to write, design, and implement accessible headings that are easy to perceive and understand for everyone. By applying accessibility considerations to the building blocks of your web content you can create digital products that everyone can use.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Video
  • Accessible heading structure
    Source: The A11y Project

    Headings are the backbone of the content of a page. Heading levels have meaning, especially for screen reader users and search engines. Write well-structured headings, because what is good for your reader, is also good for your SEO.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Article, Oct-2025
  • Accessible heading structures for home pages
    Source: Pope Tech

    Home pages usually differ from the typical content page. Their language uses more marketing copy to showcase a product’s or service’s benefits.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Article
  • Check Heading Accessibility Using the WAVE Tool
    Source: Pope Tech

    Learn why headings matter and watch two examples of how headings are used to navigate with Mac’s VoiceOver screen reader. We’ll also show how to use WebAIM’s WAVE tool to see the heading structure and any errors.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Oct-2025, Video
  • Headings
    Source: W3C: Web Accessibility Initiative

    Heading ranking and page organization information.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Article
  • How to create better (and more accessible) heading structures
    Source: Pope Tech

    In this video, learn what a heading hierarchy is, tips for when to create a new subheading, and accessibility mistakes to avoid when creating heading structures.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource Tags: Oct-2025, Video
  • Writing for Web Accessibility
    Source: W3C: Web Accessibility Initiative

    Use short headings to group related paragraphs and clearly describe the sections. Good headings provide an outline of the content.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource, Writing for Accessibility Tags: Article
  • Writing Headings
    Source: 4 Syllable

    Good headings help people quickly understand what’s on the page. They make content look more inviting. Nothing puts people off faster than a wall of text.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Headings, Resource, Writing for Accessibility Tags: Article
  • Accessible building blocks for web: links
    Source: TetraLogical

    In this video, learn how to create links that are clear, easy to identify, and work well for people who use a keyboard and other assistive technology. By applying accessibility considerations to the building blocks of your web content you can create digital products that everyone can use.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Links, Resource Tags: Video
  • Top 10 Common Accessibility Issues in Websites
    Source: AFixt

    But despite good intentions, many websites fall short of compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and laws like Section 508.

    Categories: Captioning, Color & Color Contrast, Core Concepts, Images, Links, Multimedia, Resource, Transcripts, Web Design & Development, Web Development Tags: Article

Lists

  • Beginner’s guide to lists and how to make them accessible
    Source: PopeTech

    HTML lists are just lists that have the correct HTML behind them. When the HTML is correct, screen readers can navigate and read the list more easily. When writing content, lists group together related pieces of information.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Lists, Resource Tags: Article
  • Foundations: lists
    Source: Tetra Logical

    A list is generally agreed to be a series of words or phrases that are grouped together for a reason. That reason might be to remember the items we want from the store, to share our top five favorite movies, or to write down the steps needed to complete a task.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Lists, Resource Tags: Article
  • When to Use Lists and Why They Matter
    Source: Scott Vinkle

    Using lists appropriately is crucial for accessibility, especially for screen reader users. Here’s a breakdown of when to use different types of lists and why.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Lists, Resource Tags: Article
  • When to Use Lists for Better Accessibility
    Source: Scott Vinkle

    When creating HTML content, using lists appropriately is crucial for accessibility, especially for screen reader users. Here’s a breakdown of when to use different types of lists and why.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Lists, Resource, Web Design, Web Design & Development, Web Development Tags: Article

Images

  • A guide to alt text across popular tools
    Source: Pope Tech

    In this article, we’ll list out several tools and give details about their alt text support and tips for the best way to add accessible images in the tool.

    Categories: Alternative Text (Social Media), Core Concepts, Documents & Presentations, Email & HTML Email Design, Images, Resource, Social Media Tags: Article
  • Accessibility and QR codes
    Source: Terta Logical

    Quick Response (QR) codes are graphics that can be scanned to direct people online to complete an action or find content. This blog post explores considerations and provides guidance for creating accessible experiences with QR codes.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Posters & Infographics, QR Codes, Resource Tags: Article
  • Accessible building blocks for web: images
    Source: TetraLogical

    In this video, learn how to ensure that images on websites are easy to perceive and flow logically with the rest of the content. Also, discover the importance of clear and accurate text descriptions. By applying accessibility considerations to the building blocks of your web content you can create digital products that everyone can use.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Video
  • Accessible QR Codes – The Ultimate Guide
    Source: Access Lab

    You may think that QR codes are great for securing your login, or letting users read more online about a product marketed in a news paper ad. But there is a high risk you are creating barriers for people with disabilities, unless you use QR codes correctly. This article is your ultimate guide to accessible QR codes!

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, QR Codes, Resource Tags: Article
  • Alt text decide-o-matic
    Source: Scottish Enterprise Design blog

    This interactive decision tree is based on the W3C’s alt text decision tree.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Tool
  • Alt Text for Accessibility
    Source: Level Access

    The importance of alt text for accessibility (and beyond) with practical tips for writing it more effectively.

    Categories: Images, Resource Tags: Article
  • Alt Text: What to Write
    Source: Nielsen Norman Group

    Images are decorative, functional, or informative. Skip alt text for decorative. Describe the action for functional. Convey the message for informative.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Article
  • Alternative text image types and when the alt attribute should be empty
    Source: Pope Tech

    Learn about the three types of images when it comes to alternative text and when the alt attribute should be empty.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Oct-2025, Video
  • Alternative text in the wild: 5 alternative text examples
    Source: Pope Tech

    Writing alternative text seems straightforward – just add a description to an image. In this article, we’ll go through 5 alternative text examples found on real websites. We’ll explain why the example is right or could be better to help you make the best alternative text choices for your own images.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Article
  • Cooper Hewitt Guidelines for Image Description
    Source: Cooper Hewitt

    These guidelines are designed to be both comprehensive and responsive, providing guidance while remaining flexible enough to evolve.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Article
  • Fix alternative text issues using the free WAVE accessibility checker
    Source: Pope Tech

    We’ll use the free WAVE extension in this video to review alternative text.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images Tags: Oct-2025, Video
  • How to design great alt text: An introduction
    Source: Deque

    Images need alternative text (alt text).  In order to write appropriate alt text, you need to understand who you’re writing the alt text for and the purpose of the image.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Article
  • How to do alt text on social media for artists and photographers
    Source: Nicholas Steenhout

    Adding alt text on images you post on social media is important for blind people to access your content.

    Categories: Alternative Text (Social Media), Core Concepts, Images, Resource, Social Media Tags: Article
  • How to Make QR Codes More Accessible
    Source: Vision Australia

    As designers and communications professionals, we can make QR codes more accessible and user-friendly.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Posters & Infographics, QR Codes, Resource Tags: Article
  • How to Write Alt Text for GIFs
    Source: Veroniiiica (Veronica with Four Eyes)

    Tips for writing alternative text for gifs.

    Categories: Alternative Text (Social Media), Core Concepts, Images, Resource, Social Media Tags: Article
  • How to write text descriptions (alt text) in BBC News articles
    Source: BBC: Global Experience Language

    This guidance is for staff who use digital images when creating content for BBC News.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Article
  • Introduction to alternative text
    Source: Pope Tech

    Learn what alternative text is, where it goes, what the alt attribute is, and why the alt attribute is important.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Oct-2025, Video
  • My Approach to Alt Text
    Source: Adrian Roselli

    An approach to writing alternative text for images. Writing alternative text is not a technical exercise (at least, not beyond basic WCAG conformance); it is copywriting tailored to your audience and constraints.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Article
  • Top 10 Common Accessibility Issues in Websites
    Source: AFixt

    But despite good intentions, many websites fall short of compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and laws like Section 508.

    Categories: Captioning, Color & Color Contrast, Core Concepts, Images, Links, Multimedia, Resource, Transcripts, Web Design & Development, Web Development Tags: Article
  • What alternative text is, when to use it, and how to write great alt text
    Source: Pope Tech

    Alternative text describes an image for users with visual disabilities. Every image needs an HTML alt attribute even if it’s empty, but not every image needs alternative text.

    Categories: Core Concepts, Images, Resource Tags: Article

Color and Color Contrast

  • Contrast Checker
    Source: WebAIM

    Check the foreground and background color using the hexadecimal format. Plus, use the Alpha value for transparency and the Luminance slider for perceived lightness.

    Categories: Color & Color Contrast, Core Concepts, Resource, Tools Tags: Tool
  • How your colorblind and colorweak readers see your colors
    Source: Datawrapper

    When visualizing data, you always use colors. But if you don’t know any colorblind people, it’s easy to forget that your charts have readers who can’t tell colors apart as well as you do.

    Categories: Color & Color Contrast, Core Concepts, Resource Tags: Article, Sept-2025
  • Intro to colour contrast
    Source: Design Good Practices

    Colour contrast makes a big part of the user experience for all users. Accessibility guidelines however, are not always easy to follow. In this article we will see how to meet the requirements with practical examples.

    Categories: Color & Color Contrast, Core Concepts, Resource Tags: Article
  • The Impact of Color Contrast on Accessibility
    Source: BarrierBreak

    In this blog, we will explore the impact of color contrast on accessibility and why it is essential for creating an inclusive digital experiences. Before we delve in, let’s understand what color contrast is along with accessibility requirements.

    Categories: Color & Color Contrast, Core Concepts, Resource Tags: Article
  • Top 10 Common Accessibility Issues in Websites
    Source: AFixt

    But despite good intentions, many websites fall short of compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and laws like Section 508.

    Categories: Captioning, Color & Color Contrast, Core Concepts, Images, Links, Multimedia, Resource, Transcripts, Web Design & Development, Web Development Tags: Article
  • What to consider when visualizing data for colorblind readers
    Source: Datawrapper

    Choosing colors for your visualizations is hard, choosing colorblind-safe colors is harder. This article tries to help by including ideas to design colorblind-safe data visualizations.

    Categories: Color & Color Contrast, Data Visualization, Resource Tags: Article, Sept-2025
  • What’s it like to be colorblind
    Source: Datawrapper

    This article is about giving you somebody to think about when you use the accessibility checklist.

    Categories: Color & Color Contrast, Data Visualization, Documents & Presentations, Resource Tags: Article, Sept-2025

Tables

Audio and Video

  • ADA Compliance Video Captions For Online Accessibility
    Source: ADA Compliance Firm

    Discover the ADA standards for video captions, including accuracy, completeness, and synchronization.

    Categories: Audio and Video, Captioning, Core Concepts, Multimedia, Resource Tags: Article
  • ADA Video Compliance Checklist
    Source: A11y Collective

    A11y Collective’s ADA video compliance checklist to ensure accessibility and avoid legal risks. Get practical steps that work.

    Categories: Audio and Video, Audio Description, Captioning, Multimedia, Resource, Transcripts Tags: Article
  • Everything to Know About the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Video Compliance
    Source: 3PlayMedia

    In this blog, we’ll give you a high-level overview of the ADA, explore how Titles II and III of the ADA apply to web accessibility, learn what the DOJ’s new rule means, and share tips for making your videos accessible and ADA-compliant.

    Categories: Audio and Video, Audio Description, Captioning, Core Concepts, Multimedia, Resource Tags: Article
  • How to make videos and audio accessible
    Source: Pope Tech

    Learn what accessible audio and video need to be accessible plus our suggestion for the easiest way to make accessible videos.

    Categories: Audio and Video, Audio Description, Captioning, Core Concepts, Multimedia, Resource, Transcripts Tags: Article, dec-2025
  • Making Audio and Video Media Accessible
    Source: W3C: Web Accessibility Initiative

    This resource explains how to make media accessible, whether you develop it yourself or outsource it. It helps you figure out which accessibility aspects your specific audio or video needs, provides project management guidance, and includes requirements from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standard.

    Categories: Audio and Video, Audio Description, Captioning, Core Concepts, Multimedia, Resource, Transcripts Tags: Article, dec-2025
  • Planning Audio and Video Media
    Source: W3C: Web Accessibility Initiative

    Figure out which accessibility aspects your specific audio or video needs (captions, description, a transcript, etc.).

    Categories: Audio and Video, Audio Description, Captioning, Core Concepts, Multimedia, Resource, Transcripts Tags: Article, dec-2025
  • Standards and Requirements for Quality Audio Description
    Source: 3PlayMedia

    Providing a verbal description of on-screen elements and visual details in media, audio description gives individuals with low vision the context they need to understand and enjoy video content. Think of it as the equivalent of captions, but for those who are blind or have low vision. 

    Categories: Audio and Video, Audio Description, Multimedia, Resource Tags: Article
  • The Role of Captions and Transcripts in Accessibility
    Source: AFixt

    This post will explore why captions and transcripts are critical for accessibility, how they align with legal requirements like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), and best practices for implementing them effectively.

    Categories: Audio and Video, Captioning, Core Concepts, Multimedia, Resource, Transcripts Tags: Article
  • What Is 99% Accuracy, Really? Why Caption Quality Matters
    Source: 3PlayMedia

    Accuracy is a critical aspect of the captioning process. Not only do accurate captions create an equal viewing experience for viewers who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, but they also ensure your organization is in compliance with major accessibility laws.

    Categories: Audio and Video, Captioning, Core Concepts, Multimedia, Resource Tags: Article
  • What Is Audio Description?
    Source: 3PlayMedia

    For individuals who are blind or have low vision, audio description is the key to revealing detailed information that sighted people consume without a thought. Audio description (also referred to as “description” or “video description”) is defined as “the verbal depiction of key visual elements in media and live productions.” 

    Categories: Audio and Video, Audio Description, Core Concepts, Multimedia Tags: Article
  • When to Use Audio Description on Your Content
    Source: 3PlayMedia

    Audio description (AD) is one essential aspect of the upcoming requirements, and we’re here to help when it comes to narrowing down the what, when, and how of effectively implementing AD.

    Categories: Audio and Video, Audio Description, Core Concepts, Multimedia, Resource Tags: Article