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A screenshot of the list function on Microsoft Word.

In the displayed screenshot from Word, the Bullets, Numbering and Multilevel List buttons are shown.

Digital accessibility means making sure that all our digital content — including websites, electronic course materials, mobile apps and online documents — can be used and understood by everyone, including people with disabilities. It’s about using Universal Design so that all students, faculty, staff and visitors can fully participate in university activities, programs and services.

In April 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice finalized a new rule that explicitly outlines how public entities must ensure their digital offerings are accessible. The rule mandates compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, a widely accepted international standard for digital accessibility.

Improving lists is just one of the ways we can make digital design more effective.

Lists

If content on a web page or document can be described as a list, use the authoring tool’s list tool features. Most tools let you add unordered lists (bullets) and ordered lists (numbers).

A screenshot of the list function in Canvas.

The Rich Content Editor in Canvas includes a single button for selecting “Ordered and Unordered Lists” from a pop-up menu. It might be hidden behind the “More…” button (three dots) depending on your screen size.

 When developing content, it is essential to identify instances where the material comprises a list of items. Structuring these elements explicitly as lists allows screen readers to notify users upon entering a list and convey useful details like the total number of items. This practice significantly enhances accessibility and navigation, enabling users to move efficiently between individual list items with minimal effort. 

Tools for Creating Lists

Many document authoring tools and rich content editors provide toolbar buttons for adding lists to documents.

In HTML, code lists using <ul> (unordered list) or <ol> (ordered or numbered list). 

The <dl> (definition list) element is sometimes appropriate, i.e., to markup definitions in a policy, vocabulary terms in a lesson, or frequently asked questions. Currently, screen readers do not differentiate between definition lists and unordered lists, so using this element is optional.

As we move toward ensuring that our digital spaces are accessible to all, the Office of Audit, Compliance and Privacy will offer monthly tips on how to improve digital accessibility.