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2.4.6 Headings and Labels (Level AA)

There needs to be more than one way to find a web page within your website.

What you need to know

  • This success criterion isn’t about requiring headings and labels, it’s merely saying that when you use them, write clearly and descriptively so a user knows what content follows or what form fields are asking for.
  • For example, an effective label for a form that is asking for a first name is “First name”.
  • The <h1> heading for an article might be “How To Make a Website Accessible” and an <h2> heading might be “Provide Content Alternatives”.
  • A single word can be sufficient if it relays the necessary information.
  • A key take away here is that the words should be clear and descriptive so a user knows what content to expect or what input a form field is asking for.

What you need to do

  • Use concise, clear language for headings within a page, for example <h1>,<h2> and form labels.
  • Make sure that headings accurately identify the content of their section.

Reference

Read the full explanation of success criterion 2.4.6 on W3.org.

Related Resource

Check out “Headings and Titles” from CSUN’s Universal Design Center for more information about this success criterion.