{"id":412,"date":"2026-03-26T10:28:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/?page_id=412"},"modified":"2026-03-26T10:28:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T14:28:15","slug":"designing-content-for-screen-readers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/designing-content-for-screen-readers\/","title":{"rendered":"Designing Content for Screen Readers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-umflint-templates umflint-template-default_no_jumbotron\"><div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-container container mb-2\">\n\t\n<div class=\"wp-bootstrap-blocks-row row\">\n\t\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-3\">\n\t\t\t\n<button class=\"btn btn-section w-100 px-0 wp-menu-block-toggle mobile-nav-toggle d-none\" data-target=\"wp-menu-block-secondary-menu\">\n          <span class=\"h-100 mr-3 mt-1 d-block mobile-nav-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"mb-1 transition bg-dark d-block mobile-nav-icon-line\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"mb-1 transition bg-dark d-block mobile-nav-icon-line\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"mb-1 transition bg-dark d-block mobile-nav-icon-line\"><\/span>\n\t\t  <\/span>\n          Accessibility<\/button><nav id=\"wp-menu-block-secondary-menu\" class=\"wp-menu-block sidebar-nav wp-block-umflint-menu-block\"><div class=\"nav-sidebar-title-container\">\n                <div class=\"nav-sidebar-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\">Accessibility<\/a><\/div>\n                <a class=\"nav-sidebar-title-close\" href=\"#\" data-target=\"secondary-menu\" aria-label=\"Close\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"50\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n                        <title>close<\/title><path d=\"M19,6.41L17.59,5L12,10.59L6.41,5L5,6.41L10.59,12L5,17.59L6.41,19L12,13.41L17.59,19L19,17.59L13.41,12L19,6.41Z\" \/>\n                    <\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n            <\/div><ul id=\"menu-secondary-menu\" class=\"menu nav nav-sidebar flex-column\"><li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-499\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-499 nav-item\"><a title=\"Accessibility Tools\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/tools\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Accessibility Tools<\/a>\n<ul class=\"subitems-menu\" >\n\t<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-500\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-500 nav-item\"><a title=\"Grackle\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/tools\/grackle\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Grackle<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-501\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type 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title=\"Creating Accessible Presentations\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/guides\/creating-accessible-presentations\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Creating Accessible Presentations<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-507\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-507 nav-item\"><a title=\"Creating Accessible Tables\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/guides\/creating-accessible-tables\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Creating Accessible Tables<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-508\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-508 nav-item\"><a title=\"Ensuring Basic Color Contrast for Accessibility\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/guides\/basic-color-contrast\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Ensuring Basic Color Contrast for 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menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-511 nav-item\"><a title=\"Recent Email News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/recent-email-news\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Recent Email News<\/a><\/li>\n<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-512\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-512 nav-item\"><a title=\"Rethinking PDFs\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Rethinking PDFs<\/a>\n<ul class=\"subitems-menu\" >\n\t<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-513\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-513 nav-item\"><a title=\"Converting a PDF to Word\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/converting\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Converting a PDF to Word<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-514\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-514 nav-item\"><a title=\"Myths and Paths Forward\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/myths-paths-forward\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Myths and Paths Forward<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-515\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-515 nav-item\"><a title=\"PDF Alternatives\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/alternatives\/\" class=\"nav-link\">PDF Alternatives<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-516\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-516 nav-item\"><a title=\"Sharing Read-Only Files\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/sharing-read-only-files\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Sharing Read-Only Files<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-517\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-517 nav-item\"><a title=\"Shortcomings and Frustrations of PDFs\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/shortcomings-frustrations\/\" class=\"nav-link\">Shortcomings and Frustrations of PDFs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/www.schema.org\/SiteNavigationElement\" id=\"menu-item-548\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-548 nav-item\"><a title=\"Accessibility Standard Practice Guide (SPG)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/spg.umich.edu\/policy\/601.20\" class=\"nav-link\">Accessibility Standard Practice Guide (SPG)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"col-12 col-md-9\">\n\t\t\t\n<nav aria-label=\"breadcrumb\"><ol class=\"breadcrumb mb-3\"><li class=\"breadcrumb-item\"><a href=\"\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"breadcrumb-item\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\">Accessibility<\/a><\/li><li class=\"breadcrumb-item active\" aria-current=\"page\">Designing Content for Screen Readers<\/li><\/ol><\/nav>\n\n\n<p>Creating content that works for everyone means considering how people with different abilities interact with websites and documents. Screen reader users, for example, rely on structure and clear content to navigate and understand what\u2019s on a page, often using only their keyboard. Let\u2019s take a closer look at how we can make our content more accessible by using alt text, headings, and descriptive links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Screen Readers Navigate Content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Screen readers typically begin reading from the top of a page and move downward, including reading out alternate text for images. Many users navigate through content using keyboard commands and shortcuts that allow them to jump between page elements such as headings, links, and form fields without having to read everything in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why using structured content like headings and descriptive links is so important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alt Text for Images<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Making images and graphics accessible starts with alternative text (alt text). This short description tells users what an image conveys, which is especially important for those who can\u2019t see it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tips for writing good alt text:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Focus on the purpose and context of the image.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep it clear and concise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid phrases like \u201cimage of\u201d or \u201cpicture of.\u201d Screen readers already announce it\u2019s an image.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Think about how you\u2019d describe the image to someone in person.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Headings for Structure &amp; Navigation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Headings provide structure and a clear hierarchy, making it easier for all users, especially those using screen readers, to scan and understand content. The image below showcases a screen reader rotor, isolating the headings from all the other content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"602\" height=\"493\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of VoiceOver rotor pulling up headings and Why Checking Captions Matters is highlighted\" class=\"wp-image-416\" title=\"Screenshot 2025-06-04 at 3.08.07\u202fPM.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1.png 602w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1-300x246.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Screen readers allow users to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jump from heading to heading.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pull up a list of all headings on a page.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understand the importance of each section based on heading level (H1-H6).<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Use headings in logical order;&nbsp; don\u2019t skip levels just for visual appeal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Descriptive Links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Clear, meaningful links help users understand where they\u2019ll go if they click on it or select it with a screen reader. You should avoid vague phrases like: &#8220;Click here,&#8221; &#8220;Read more,&#8221; or \u201cLearn more.&#8221; Instead, use phrases like: \u201cRead more about the BSN program\u201d or \u201cDownload the application (PDF).\u201d Below we have two examples of a screen reader pulling up the list of links on a page. One page has many links that just state \u201cclick here\u201d while the other has more descriptive links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-300x270.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of VoiceOver rotor pulling up list of descriptive links on a page\" class=\"wp-image-415\" title=\"Screenshot of VoiceOver rotor pulling up list of links on a page\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-300x270.png 300w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-1024x922.png 1024w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-768x691.png 768w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image.png 1462w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"591\" src=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-1024x591.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of VoiceOver rotor pulling up list of descriptive links on a page\" class=\"wp-image-417\" title=\"Screenshot 2025-09-22 at 1.24.00\u202fPM.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-1024x591.png 1024w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-768x443.png 768w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2-1536x886.png 1536w, https:\/\/www-s3.umflint.edu\/wp\/blogs.dir\/107\/files\/2026\/03\/image-2.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Screen readers let users pull up a list of all links on a page. If multiple links are labeled simply \u201cclick here,\u201d users can\u2019t tell where each link leads, making navigation confusing and inefficient. In contrast, descriptive link text, such as \u201cUsing Headings to Structure Content\u201d gives meaningful context and allows users of assistive technology to quickly understand and move through a page. Descriptive links create a clearer, more user-friendly experience for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By applying these accessibility practices such as alt text, headings, and clear links, you\u2019re helping ensure our content is inclusive and usable for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/guides\/structuring-your-documents\/\">Structuring Documents with Headings<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/tools\/wolverine-describer\/\">Alt Text with Wolverine Describer<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nvaccess.org\/download\/\">Download NVDA<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dequeuniversity.com\/screenreaders\/nvda-keyboard-shortcuts\">NVDA commands<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/software.umich.edu\/titles\/jaws-2025\">Download JAWS<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dequeuniversity.com\/screenreaders\/jaws-keyboard-shortcuts\">JAWS commands<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dequeuniversity.com\/screenreaders\/talkback-shortcuts\">TalkBack gestures<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dequeuniversity.com\/screenreaders\/voiceover-ios-shortcuts\">VoiceOver for iOS gestures<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dequeuniversity.com\/screenreaders\/voiceover-keyboard-shortcuts\">VoiceOver for Mac commands<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/designing-content-for-screen-readers\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-412","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/412","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=412"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/412\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":420,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/412\/revisions\/420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=412"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}