Provide descriptive headings [G130]

Test info

Test for Success Criterion 2.4.6

About

Checked Elements: h1-h6

This test checks, whether the headings identify their section of the content.

Short Description

It is important to provide a descriptive headings in your web page. Descriptive headings give users an overview of the content and its organization, and help users find specific content and orient themselves within the web page. They identify sections of the content in relation both to the web page as a whole and to other sections of the same web page.

How to Repair

Provide text in the headings, that describes the section. If you need to use images as headings, provide an alternative text with the content of the heading in the alt attribute of the image. Keep your headings short and succinct and try to putting the most important information at the beginning of each heading. This helps users “skim" the headings to locate the specific content they need, and is especially helpful when browsers or assistive technology allow navigation from heading to heading.
Tips for making accessible headings

WCAG 2.0

Principle 2: Operable

User interface components and navigation must be operable. WCAG 2.0: Principle 2

Guideline 2.4: Navigable

Provide ways to help users navigate, find content, and determine where they are. Understanding Guideline 2.4

Success Criterion 2.4.6: Headings and Labels (Level AA)

Headings and labels describe topic or purpose. Understanding: Success Criterion 2.4.6

Technique

G130 - Providing descriptive headings

Possible Results

There is no text in the heading: The heading element contains only non-text content.
The heading is empty: There is no content in the heading.
Please check the heading: Human input is necessary to verify, that the heading describes the section it belongs to.
The heading seems to be descriptive: The heading seems to describe the section it belongs to.