How to create accessible content

It’s easiest and cheapest to think about accessibility at the start of a project. If you work as a content person, designer or developer you should think about web accessibility while you are working.

Things to consider include:

• using plain English so content is clear and easy to understand
• writing content specifically for the web instead of publishing documents designed for print
• including alt text with images
• providing long descriptions for tables, graphs and diagrams when alt text isn’t long enough to describe the complexity
• providing captions and transcripts for video
• marking up content with the correct HTML elements, for example headings, lists and tables
• providing enough colour contrast between text and background
• making sure webpages can be used with only a keyboard
• making sure keyboard focus is easily visible.

Web accessibility for content teams — NZ Government Web Standards

Assessment and reporting

You need to assess and report on your conformance with the Standard when requested by the Department of Internal Affairs. This includes submitting a risk assessment and management plan regarding any areas of non-conformance.

• Web Standards Self-Assessments
• Web Standards risk assessment

Related advice

• Usability
• Content design guidance