Accessibility includes all aspects of the website. To have an accessible website, everyone who works with it must have accessibility in focus. It applies to the development of technology and new features and it affects the structure and choice of images and colours. This means, for example, that we should always mark meaningful images with alternative and title texts, that we insert correct links, and that we always think about how we write our texts in the clearest way possible.

Headings

• All pages should have a Heading 1.
• Heading 1 must match the name of the page and the address of the page.
• You must not jump between different heading levels.
• Headings and introduction text are formatted only using the style templates (so bold, italics, links, and the like may not be used in headings).
• It’s a good idea to divide up your page using subheadings as this provides a clear structure and makes the information easier to absorb.

Links

• Links should only appear in body text, never in introductions or headings.
• External links on hb.se should always open in a new window.
• A link text should give the visitor a description of the content of the page that is being linked to, such as "Final report from Project X (pdf)". Link text such as "Read More", "Link", "Click Here" or the URL itself are not sufficient descriptions.
• Links should be placed at the end of the page or at the end of the paragraph, never in the middle of a paragraph.
• Create unique link texts for each link on a page to make your links as accessible as possible.

Images, video, and audio

Web components such as images, video, and audio can create barriers for visitors, so it's important to create alternative methods to access this type of content.

Don't use images to display text

Users should be able to customise text by enlarging it or selecting a different font and changing foreground and background colours or line spacing. If the text is part of an image, a screen reader does not have the ability to read the text, nor can size or contrast be adjusted. Therefore, always use text to present information instead of text inside an image. Need help or support with this? Contact the Communications Office via kommunikation@hb.se.

Present content that is not text in alternative ways

Users who depend on, for example, screen readers and Braille point displays need descriptions of all content that is not text. This applies to, for example:

• Pictures
• Charts and diagrams
• Animations
• Audio signals
• Video

Users who are unable to access audio or video recordings are to have the opportunity to access the content in other ways. For example, this might mean text that corresponds to the content of the recording. For audio recordings, a transcription of the content is a common method. For audio-free video recordings, an audio recording can be an acceptable alternative presentation.

Rules and guidelines are based on the official guidelines on how to work with public sector websites and can be read in full at  webbriktlinjer.se.