Video course: Introduction to authoring accessible web content

Content writers for state organizations can learn the basics of creating accessible digital content through this video training series.

A video course for web authors

The Mass Digital Content Lab team created a structured accessibility course for anyone who writes or edits web content. The course is 40 minutes long (7 short videos) and will help you learn or refresh what you know about designing accessible content. 

Your state digital content must meet the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This course won’t make you an expert, but it will provide a strong foundation to build on. The ACCESS team has resources that we recommend exploring to learn more about digital accessibility fundamentals and continue building your skills. 

Accessible content goes beyond meeting technical standards and helps all users find and understand information more easily. Anyone making digital content can adopt these practices as part of developing an "accessibility first" mindset.

Lesson 1: Introduction to accessibility

This lesson introduces what accessibility means for websites and why it’s important for everyone who creates digital content. You’ll also learn:

• Why accessibility matters for all users
• Information about Title II compliance

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Lesson 2: Introduction to screen readers

This lesson introduces screen readers, which are tools that help people navigate digital content auditorily. The video also explains how they interact with websites. You’ll learn:

• How screen readers navigate web pages
• Ways people use screen readers
• Simple ways to structure content to support screen reader users

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Lesson 3: Understanding accessible heading structure

This lesson focuses on using headings correctly to keep your content clear, organized, and easy to navigate. Here's what you’ll learn:

• Why you should never skip heading levels
• The importance of descriptive headings

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Lesson 4: Creating accessible links

This lesson explains how to write link text that is meaningful, clear, and helpful for all users. In this lesson, you'll learn:

• To avoid using vague phrases like “click here” or “read more”
• How clear links improve the experience for people using screen readers and other assistive tools

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Lesson 5: Writing accessible alt text

This lesson covers how to write effective alt text for images. Alt text helps people who use screen readers understand the content and purpose of images, making your content accessible to more users. You’ll learn key practices such as:

• How to write alt text that reflects an image’s purpose
• How to use alt text for complex visuals such as charts or graphs

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Lesson 6: Making accessible tables

This lesson explains how to create accessible tables in rich text fields. You’ll learn:

• When it’s appropriate to use tables
• How screen readers announce tables
• How to prevent common table accessibility issues, such as missing headers, stacked headers, or merged cells

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Lesson 7: Content accessibility for all device types

This lesson focuses on making sure your content works well across all device types. Here's what you’ll learn:

• Why it’s important to review your content on different screen sizes
• How components in the Mass.gov CMS behave on mobile devices
• How to create links for phone numbers and email addresses

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