As a content editor, one of your most important responsibilities is to make sure your content can be enjoyed by as many people as possible—including those who rely on assistive technologies. That’s where Drupal CMS’s Accessibility Tools can help. With the Accessibility Tools recommended add-on installed on your site, you’ll gain helpful features like Editoria11y and the Content Accessibility Report—both designed to help you identify and fix common accessibility issues as you create content for your site.
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Learn about key accessibility concepts and terminology so you can confidently set up and use the accessibility-related features in Drupal CMS.
Back to topWhat is accessibility?
Accessibility means making sure that everyone—regardless of ability—can use and benefit from the content you create. This ensures that no one is left out of the experience you’re building, and it helps make the web more inclusive for everyone. It also improves usability for all visitors, supports legal and organizational requirements, and reflects your commitment to creating content that respects and includes every user.
Back to topWhat tools does Drupal CMS provide?
Drupal CMS integrates the open source Editoria11y tool into the Drupal content creation user interface (UI).
Editoria11y (pronounced “editorially,” a play on “a11y” for accessibility and editorial review) provides an inline accessibility review for content creators. It is like having an accessibility coach right next to you while you’re editing. As you create and update your content, it automatically scans for issues—such as missing alternative text on images, improper heading structure, or low color contrast—and highlights them directly in the editing interface. Instead of needing a separate scan or a developer’s help, you’ll see immediate feedback and learn how to fix issues on the spot.
Alongside Editoria11y, the Content Accessibility Report provides a summary view of accessibility issues for the entire site. Content editors can review this report to see a complete list of any issues found. This helps you catch anything that might have slipped by during editing or as content evolves over time.
Before diving deeper, here are some key concepts to help you understand and use the accessibility tools in Drupal CMS effectively:
Alternative texts
Short descriptions that explain the purpose of images (and other visual elements) for users with screen readers. Avoid empty alt text, file names as alt text, or overly long descriptions.
Document structure
The appropriate use of headings (H1, H2, etc.) and other HTML markup elements, used in the correct order, to provide organization and structure to a document’s content. Avoid skipping levels or using empty headings.
Meaningful links
Links should clearly describe where they lead. Avoid using generic text like “click here” or links with no text at all.
Tables
Make sure tables include proper header rows or columns for screen readers to interpret them correctly.
General accessibility tips:
- Avoid large blocks of all-caps text.
- Provide captions for videos and transcripts for audio.
- Make sure PDFs or downloadable documents are accessible or provide alternate formats.
- Add alt text or descriptions to social media embeds.
Why accessibility matters
Making your content accessible isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about building a better web for everyone. Accessible content ensures that people using screen readers, keyboard-only navigation, or other assistive technologies can fully engage with your site. It also improves the overall user experience for all visitors and benefits your search rankings by making your content more understandable to search engines. By taking the time to use these tools, you’re contributing to a more inclusive internet and showing your commitment to all of your users.
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Now that we've explained the essentials of accessibility, learn how to use Drupal CMS's accessibility features.
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