#  Managing accessibility 

 



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## How to manage and improve accessibility

Creating accessible digital content is critical to meet Harvard’s policy standards and ensure an equitable experience for all users. HarvardSites Drupal has been developed with accessible features built into components, but if content added to the site isn‘t accessible, the whole site is at risk of introducing accessibility barriers. By thoughtfully following accessibility best practices for creating content, we can make sure our digital materials are accessible to everyone.

### Step 1: Create accessible content

The following are key considerations for creating accessible content:

- **Titles and headings:** Write unique and descriptive page titles, and use hierarchical levels for headings.
- **Readability**: Use plain language, keep paragraphs short, and use lists where appropriate.
- **Links:** Write clear, unique link text so that users know where the link is going.
- **Alternative text**: Write simple, helpful, and descriptive text alternatives for images (see When to add alt text for best practices for providing alternative text).

See [Content Creator Essentials](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/content-creator-essentials) on the Digital Accessibility website for more on creating accessible content.

### Step 2: Check for accessibility issues

   ![Combined screenshot of checker control icons, showing a checkmark, yellow circle icon containing the numeral 1, and red circle icon containing the numeral 5.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_1_1__960x960_scale/public/2024-10/Editoria11y_icons.png?itok=1CcTloD-) 

 

Check the status of the checker control — a blue checkmark icon means there were no issues found, whereas the circle icons display the number and type of issues found — yellow for possible issues and red for definite issues.1. From the content item edit view, locate the Editoria11y checker control at the end of the page, displaying in the bottom right corner. The checker control icon type reflects the number and type of issues found as follows:
    1. **Checkmark on blue:** No issues found.
    2. **Number on yellow:** Possible issues that require manual checks.
    3. **Number in red ring:** Definite issues to repair.
2. Select the checker control to open the Editoria11y control panel and tooltips.
3. Use the **Previous** and **Next** controls in the control panel to step through issues.

   ![Screenshot of control panel showing 5 issues detected and panel controls.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2024-10/Editoria11y_panel.png?itok=tTFgO30w) 

 

Use the control panel’s **Previous** and **Next** controls to step through the issues.4. Locate the issue identifier icons on the page and select the icon to display an informational tooltip panel describing the issue and remedy. Note that issues may be for content that is not visible, such as a link that contains no text, and content that is part of the template.

   ![Screenshot of tooltip panel with the heading, Manual check: was a heading level skipped? and an explanation of heading structure and guidance to adjust levels to remove gaps.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2024-10/Editoria11y_tooltip.png?itok=fK7xqZvp) 

 

Locate and select the issue identifier icons **(1)** on the page to display a tooltip panel **(2)** with an explanation and instructions to fix the issue.5. Review the **Outline** section in the Control Panel to verify the page structure and identify skipped or empty headings.

   ![Screenshot of Outline section of control panel showing the heading structure and highlighting a skipped heading.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2024-10/Editoria11y_outline.png?itok=IuLSoXq7) 

 

Use the **Outline** details in the **Control Panel** to review page structure and identify skipped headings.### Content Accessibility Report

HarvardSites Drupal offers a report that lists all of your site's content accessibility issues. You can access the report by going to **Reports** > **Content Accessibility.** Sections in the report include: **Top issues**, **Pages with the most issues**, **Recent issues**, and **Recent dismissals**.

   ![a content accessibility report screenshot](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/2026-06/Screenshot%202026-06-08%20at%2011.17.21%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=6-BqTxTh) 

 

Content accessibility report documenting accessibility issues that need review.### Step 3: Monitor accessibility using Siteimprove

Siteimprove is a Harvard-licensed tool that breaks down accessibility issues into manageable tasks, tracks progress toward compliance, and provides recommendations and guidance.

1. [Learn more about Siteimprove](https://accessibility.huit.harvard.edu/auto-tools-testing#siteimprove) on the Digital Accessibility site.
2. [Request Access to Siteimprove](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=7a169ddadbf87600f7627eb6bf9619be) (HarvardKey required).



 

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##  Related resources 

 



  [### Multimedia Accessibility

 ](/resource/multimedia-accessibility)How to make video and audio content accessible with captions, transcripts, and audio description.



 

 

   ![Table top arrayed with miniature models of a variety of artworks. ](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-10/thumb_multimedia_accessibility.jpg?itok=WLQBokhu) 

 



 

 

   [### When to add alt text

 ](/resource/when-add-alt-text)How to approach writing text descriptions that convey concepts in images to screen reader users.



 

 

   ![Two people in a workroom standing in front of a whiteboard, one writing and one observing.](/sites/g/files/omnuum1651/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-10/thumb_alt_description.jpg?itok=aU2s_oZd) 

 



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ How-tos ](/content-structure/how-tos)
- [ Accessibility ](/general-site-management/accessibility)