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Accessible Content in WordPress (Block Editor)
SUNY Cortland specialty websites (sites.cortland.edu) use approved WordPress themes that are managed centrally. Because of this, most accessibility-related tasks for content creators focus on the content you add to your pages rather than the site's overall design.
The guidance below highlights accessibility best practices for creating content in WordPress using the Block Editor. If you encounter an accessibility concern that appears to be related to the website's theme or layout, please contact Web Services for assistance.
NOTE: At SUNY Cortland, it is important to understand that there are two different WordPress editing experiences:
The guidance below is intended for content creators working in the Block Editor.
Headings, Paragraphs and Lists
Blocks for Structure and Formatting
Use Heading, Paragraph, and List blocks to structure your content. These blocks create the proper page markup needed by screen readers and other assistive technologies.
Do not create headings by simply making text larger, bold, or a different color. Use Heading blocks for headings and List blocks for bulleted or numbered lists.
Follow a logical heading hierarchy (H2, H3, H4, etc.). Use headings in order and avoid skipping levels. Do not use H1 headings within page content, as the page title serves as the H1.
Alternative (alt) Text for Images
When adding an Image block, provide concise and meaningful alternative text (typically no more than a few words) that describes the image's purpose or content.
Descriptive Links
Avoid generic link text such as "click here" or "read more." Instead, use text that describes the destination or action, such as "View the Academic Calendar."
Add Captions When Possible
Provide captions for images, videos, charts, and other media when additional context would benefit users.
note: captions are not typically necessary when alt text is provided for an image.
Embedded Content (TikTok, X, Instagram, and Other Social Media)
When using embedded content blocks for social media posts, provide context to help users understand the content's purpose and key message.
If the block includes options for a caption, summary, description, or similar text, use them to provide additional information about the embedded content.
Visual Cues Alone
Do not rely solely on visual cues such as color, shape, size to convey information. Be sure to provide related information through text and labels.
Avoid PDFs
Publish information directly on a web page instead of uploading a PDF. Web pages are generally easier to access and maintain.
Accessibility Checking
Consider adding Webaim's Wave Accessibility extension to your browser and evaluating your page's accessibility score and learn about any potential issues.