Headings are more than just big, bold text. They provide a hidden “map” that assistive technologies use to navigate a document. Without proper headings, a 50-page document looks like one single, massive paragraph to a screen reader.
The “Why”
- Efficient Navigation: Screen reader users can pull up a “Heading List” and jump directly to a specific section (like “Week 5 Assignments”) without having to listen to the entire document.
- Logical Relationships: Headings create a hierarchy. They tell the reader which topics are main ideas (H2) and which are sub-topics (H3).
- Automatic Outlines: When you use real heading styles, software like Google Docs, Word, and Canvas can automatically generate a Table of Contents or a sidebar Document Outline for you.
Examples: Before vs. After
The “Fake” Heading Problem
- Bad: You type a line of text, highlight it, and manually change it to Arial, 18pt, Bold.
- The Result: Visually, it looks like a heading. However, a screen reader sees it as “Normal Text.” It won’t appear in the Document Outline, and a user can’t “jump” to it.
- Good: You type a line of text and select Heading 2 from the Styles menu.
- The Result: The software “tags” this text as a structural milestone. It is now part of the document’s DNA.
The “Skipped Level” Problem
- Bad: You use Heading 1 for the Title, then jump straight to Heading 4 because you like the way it looks.
- Good: You follow a nested order (H1 鈫� H2 鈫� H3). If you don’t like the font or size of a heading, you change the Style definition, rather than skipping levels.
How-To: Strategies for Success
- The “One H1” Rule: Think of Heading 1 as the title of a book. There should generally only be one H1聽per page or document.
- Follow the Ladder: Never skip a level. You can’t have an H3 without an H2聽above it.
- Keep it Concise: Headings should be short and descriptive (e.g., “Grading Policy” instead of “Information Regarding How Your Final Grades Will Be Calculated”).
- Use the “Outline” View: Always check your work by opening the Navigation Pane (Word) or Document Outline (Google Docs). If your heading isn’t there, it isn’t accessible.
- Don’t Use Headings for Emphasis: If you just want to make a sentence stand out in the middle of a paragraph, use Bold or Italics. Don’t use a heading style unless it is actually starting a new section.
- Format for Visuals Second: Choose the correct structural level (H2, H3) first. If the font looks too big or the wrong color, use the “Modify Style” settings to change the appearance without breaking the structure.
Apply This to Your Work
Ready to structure your document? See the specific technical steps for your preferred platform: