Transcript of video:
(00:01) Introduction to Document Structure
This video is about the document structure to make our web content more accessible. This can apply to Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and even Google Sites.
(00:22) Why Heading Styles Matter
So, for heading structure, you want to make sure that you apply styles. You don't just make something bold to make it look like a title or make it bigger to make it look like a title. You really need to apply those document styles because a screen reader understands those as a special code and it understands that those are headings and it can skip around and navigate more easily.
(00:44) Thinking in Outline Form
So, I made this look like an outline because that's kind of how you need to think about it. You know, you think of an outline, it has a title and then it has sections and then it has subsections.
(01:07) Benefits of Using Headings
The benefits for using headings is that it's a navigation landmark for screen readers. It helps organize information. It reveals the structure and it supports understanding for everyone. And it can be a consistent design that you can follow.
(01:29) Screen Reader Navigation
A screen reader can skip to the previous heading or to the next heading. If the user uses a keyboard shortcut, it can also bring up a list of all the headings and then the user can select a section from there.
(01:47) Assigning Headings in Google Docs
So, in Google Doc, where to change that is right here. It's like next to the font. Heading one would be your title. And you only use one of those.
(02:02) Heading Styles in Word
In Microsoft Word, you find these under styles. And I got four at a time when I did it.
(02:27) Styles Pane in Word
And then I could find title. Title does work in Microsoft Word.
(02:27) Slides Reminder
Just a reminder for slides that layout is a little bit different. We don't have headings and so for Google slides you do need a title slide but only one and then each slide thereafter needs a title.
(03:00) Template Example
This one is just a generic template, but it also has some tips built in. So you could make a copy of this.
(03:38) Using Headings to Navigate
So my main sections are the section one, section two, and I can skip around. A screen reader can do that same thing.
(03:59) Tables for Data (Not Layout)
Just a reminder in your Google Docs for layout, don't use tables for layout. I did use this table for data.
(04:24) Alternatives to Table Layout
And so paragraph shading or paragraph borders is a great way to do that.
(04:44) Before and After Example
So here's my before a doc that was laid out. I did start adding headings. However, I have a table because I love tables for layout, but that's just not screen reader friendly.
(05:03) Revised Accessible Version
I revamped that same document. I started over, but I just had to copy and paste and I made it more linear.
(05:03) Final Notes
So, don't forget to visit our website, a11y.esu10.org. And we do have office hours currently from n 8 to 9 on Mondays with Jason or you could schedule with any one of us.