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Web Accessibility

Quick tips that everyone can use to make their websites and pages more accessible.

Lists

Bullets and numbered lists make it easier for people to scan a page and find actionable information. A sentence and two bullets is easier to read than three sentences, or a long sentence with comma separated values.

DO: DON'T:
  • Use the numbered list or bulleted list formatter in your word processor to create your list.
  • Use lists to detail steps in a process.
  • Group related items together to make them easier to scan.
  • Include a lead-in sentence or title to help explain the purpose of the list.
  • Use numbered lists for ordered steps in a process; use bulleted lists when chronological order is not important.
  • Use multiple levels in a list - the list becomes harder to scan. Try to keep your list at one or two levels deep.
  • Create the look of a list by using special characters for each bullet (like + or *) or manually typing numbers. Screen readers won't be able to interpret this as a list or let the reader know how many items are in it.

Example

Below is the same paragraph of text that provides instructions for the information needed for a permit. Which one is easier to find what information is needed?

 Do  Don't

With your application for a drilling permit, provide the following information:

  • Depth of the well
  • Casing and cementing program
  • Circulation media (mud, air, form, etc.)
  • Expected depth and thickness of fresh water zones
  • Well site layout and design

Each completed well drilling application must contain a detailed statement including the following information: the depth of the well, the casing and cementing program, the circulation media (mud, air, foam, etc.), the expected depth and thickness of fresh water zones, and well site layout and design.

"Use lists." PlainLanguage.gov. https://www.plainlanguage.gov/guidelines/organize/use-lists/. Last accessed May 23, 2022.

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