Properly Formatting Lists
Using properly formatted lists can be a helpful way to break down information into manageable parts, provide structure and improve readability for multiple types of users, including those using assistive technology.
How Assistive Technology Present Lists
People who are blind, low vision or with certain mental disabilities may use screen readers to consume and interact with digital content. A screen reader is a type of software that converts text to audio or braille.
When “reading” a list, most screen readers will first announce that a list is present, then state the number of items in the list before reading the items in order.
So, for example, a screen reader might announce: “List. Five items.” That tells the user what to expect — and gives them the opportunity to skip past the list if they’re not interested in the content.
In order for a screen reader to provide this functionality, lists must be denoted appropriately in the software, content management system (CMS) or HTML code.
Types of Lists
Lists can be used to group related information in a way that makes it easier to understand. Different types of lists indicate a different type of relationship between list items.
Bulleted Lists
A bulleted list, also called an unordered list, is used to list out a group of related items that do not have or need a specific order or hierarchy.
In a bulleted list, a bullet () is typically used to visually indicate the beginning of a list item, although other symbols can be used.
Numbered Lists
A numbered list, also called an ordered list, is used to present a group of items where the order matters, such as in instructions or listing out priorities.
In a numbered list, an alphanumeric character is typically used to indicate the beginning of a list item.
Multi-level Lists
Both bulleted (unordered) and numbered (ordered) lists can contain nested subitems. The nesting of list items is used to indicate that they are a subset of the ideas communicated in the list item they are nested under.
Typically nested lists are indented further than their parent list and use a different character to denote the beginning of a list item.
Practical Tips for Using Lists
- Use built-in list formatting.Most software programs have built-in ways to create lists that are accessible to screen readers.
- Use the right type of list.Consider if order is essential to understanding the list.
- Avoid manual formatting.Do not use dashes, asterisks, emojis or other “visual only” characters to denote a list, as this is not accessible to screen readers.
- Keep list items brief. If your list items are more than two sentences each, consider using structured headings and paragraphs instead.
- Keep lists short.Readers are more likely to skip long lists.
- Use semantic HTML markup. If you are developing a webpage, don’t hide list content in a <div> or <span> element.
- Nest lists appropriately.Indent subtopics within the list to help the reader process information more easily.
- Choose simple bullet styles.This minimizes distraction and keeps the focus on the content.
Foundational Accessibility Concepts
Learning foundational accessibility concepts will help you create more accessible content regardless of tool or platform.