Planning a Blog Post Accessibility Checklist for Consultancy Content
Accessibility is not a niche concern for consultancy blogs. When you publish advice, research, or case notes, you want every reader to reach the same content without friction. A short checklist before you hit publish can catch the most common barriers. The four areas below cover alt text, heading order, link wording, and colour use. They are practical enough to apply in a shared document or content management system. Treat this as a pre-flight review, not a legal audit.
Write Alt Text That Carries Meaning
Every informative image needs alternative text that describes its purpose, not its appearance. A chart that shows quarterly growth should say what the chart demonstrates, not simply "chart". Decorative images, such as a background texture or a generic divider, should have empty alt text so screen readers skip them. If an image is also a link, the alt text becomes the link label, so write it as an action.
Keep alt text concise. Around 125 characters is a useful target for most images. Avoid starting with "image of" or "picture of" because assistive technology already announces that. For complex diagrams, put the full explanation in the surrounding paragraph and use brief alt text that points to it.
- Describe the function of the image, not every visual detail.
- Use empty alt text for purely decorative images.
- Do not repeat the caption word for word.
- Check charts, screenshots, and logos separately.
Keep Heading Order Logical
Headings create the outline that screen reader users navigate. A page should have one main heading, then subheadings in a strict hierarchy. Do not jump from a second-level heading to a fourth-level heading just because the font size looks better. Use CSS to change appearance while keeping the HTML order correct.
For consultancy posts, a common structure is one page title, several section headings, and occasional sub-sections. Lists and tables should sit under a relevant heading rather than floating between sections. Before publishing, scan the heading list in your editor and ask whether the order still makes sense with the visual styling removed.
"A clear heading outline is the fastest route through a long article."
Make Link Wording Self-Contained
Link text should make sense out of context. Screen reader users often pull up a list of links, so phrases like "click here" or "read more" become meaningless. Instead, write descriptive labels such as "download the accessibility checklist" or "view the consultancy pricing guide". The surrounding sentence should still read naturally.
If a link opens a file or a new tab, say so in the link text or nearby. Avoid using the same wording for different destinations, because that creates confusion. For repeated calls to action, add a short qualifier, for example "contact the design team" and "contact the strategy team".
- Read the link text on its own and check it still explains the destination.
- Replace generic phrases with specific descriptions.
- Mention file type or new window when relevant.
- Test the link with a keyboard before publishing.
Use Colour With Sufficient Contrast
Colour should never be the only way to communicate information. If you mark required fields in red, add an asterisk or the word "required". If you show a trend with green and red, add arrows, labels, or patterns. This helps readers with colour vision differences and anyone viewing the page in bright sunlight.
Check text contrast against its background. Normal body text should meet a contrast ratio of at least 4.5 to 1, while large text can meet 3 to 1. Buttons, form borders, and focus outlines also need enough contrast to be visible. A quick checker or browser tool can confirm this before you publish.
| Element | Minimum contrast | Extra check |
|---|---|---|
| Body text | 4.5 to 1 | Test at actual size |
| Large headings | 3 to 1 | Confirm font weight |
| Focus outline | 3 to 1 | Tab through the page |
Run the Checklist Before You Publish
A checklist only works if it becomes part of the routine. Add these four checks to your editorial workflow and assign an owner for each published post. Keep a shared note of common fixes so writers can avoid repeating mistakes. Over time, accessibility becomes a normal part of consultancy content rather than an afterthought.
Finally, test with real assistive technology when you can. Keyboard-only navigation and a screen reader spot check will reveal issues that automated tools miss. Combine that with the steps above and your blog will meet basic accessibility standards consistently.
