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Training · Lesson 3

What can I do this week?

Start with five fixes that help the most people: real headings, picture descriptions, clear link words, strong contrast, and captions. You can make all five in the tools you already use, such as Word, your website editor, or PowerPoint. No programming needed.

Video coming soon. The full lesson is written out below.

1. Use real headings

Headings are the signposts of a page. People who use screen readers jump from heading to heading, the way you skim with your eyes.

  • Use the built-in Heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2), not just big bold text.
  • One Heading 1 per page: the title.
  • Use Heading 2 for main sections, Heading 3 for parts inside them. Don't skip levels.

2. Describe your pictures

A screen reader cannot see a picture. It reads the description you give it, called "alt text."

  • Say what the picture shows and why it is there, in one short sentence.
  • Don't start with "Picture of." The screen reader already says it's a picture.
  • If a picture is only decoration, mark it as decorative so it is skipped.
  • A chart needs its key point in words, next to it or in the description.

Screen reader users often list all the links on a page. Ten links that all say "click here" tell them nothing.

  • Bad: "To read the report, click here."
  • Good: "Read the 2026 annual report," with the link on the words "2026 annual report."
  • The link words alone should say where the link goes.

4. Use strong contrast

Light gray text on white is hard to read for people with low vision, and for anyone on a phone in bright sun.

  • Use dark text on a light background, or light text on a dark background.
  • Don't use color alone to show meaning. "Required fields are in red" fails for people who can't see red. Add a word or a symbol too.

5. Caption your videos

Captions let people who are deaf or hard of hearing follow along. They also help in a noisy room.

  • Use real captions that someone has checked. Automatic captions alone make mistakes.
  • Captions should include who is speaking and important sounds.

One more for documents

Before you share a Word file or Portable Document Format (PDF) file, run the built-in accessibility checker. In Microsoft Word, it is under Review, then Check Accessibility. Fix what it finds.

Sources (checked 2026-11-01)