(X)HTML Structure
- Always use the heading tags in order without skipping any, and be consistent throughout the site. For example: Site name
<h1>, page titles <h2>, section headings <h3> and sub-headings <h4>.
- Obviously
<p> tags are used to make paragraphs. Don't use the <blockquote> tags to change the look of a paragraph, as screen readers will announce that it is a quote. Use CSS to edit the margins instead, along with any other changes in the look of a paragraph
- To emphasize text, use
<strong> and <em>, instead of <b> and <i>, in order to have screen readers announce that text is emphasized. When text doesn't need to be emphasized but still needs to be set apart visually, such as the title of a book or movie, use <b> and <i>. If an entire line of text is being bolded or italicized, consider changing it to a heading with header tags.
- Lists should always be used correctly:
<ol> for ordered lists, <ul> for unordered lists and <dl> for definition lists. Nested lists should always be coded correctly.
- Avoid using text or other elements with rapid visual changes, flashes or blinking objects. These elements can cause migraines at best and, at worst, photosensitive epileptic seizures. If flashing or blinking elements must be used, ensure the frequency is lower than 2Hz or greater than 55Hz.
- Do not use blink or marquee elements, because they are not valid HTML and their effects cannot be controlled in the browsers that support them. These elements are annoying for users with screen magnifiers or screen readers. Also, people with disabilities such as dyslexia will have a hard time reading text that is moving or blinking. Even people without these disabilities may find them annoying.
- Avoid using frames whenever possible, as there are easier (and much more accessible) ways of designing web sites. The easiest alternative to using frames is CSS.
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