Overview
This article explains what lists are, why they matter for digital accessibility, and how to use them correctly. Using lists the right way helps everyone read and understand content more easily, including people who use screen readers or other assistive technologies.
Always refer to the ADA digital accessibility standards for the most up-to-date compliance requirements.
What Are Lists?
Lists group related information in a clear and organized way. They make content easier to scan, understand, and navigate.
Lists also provide important meaning behind the scenes. When lists are created properly, assistive technologies can recognize them as lists. This helps screen reader users understand how items are related and move through content more efficiently.
Why Lists Matter for Accessibility
Properly formatted lists help:
- Screen readers announce the number of items in a list
- Users understand relationships between items
- Everyone reads content faster and with less effort
When lists are not created correctly, assistive technology may read them as plain text, which can be confusing or misleading.
Best Practices
Source: Section508.gov – Information Grouped in a List
- Always use the built-in list formatting tools in Word, PowerPoint, and other platforms to format lists properly; list buttons are typically found on the toolbar.
- Use ordered lists (numbered) for steps or sequences where order matters.
- Use unordered lists (bulleted) for grouped items without a required order.
- Use the tab key after you've started your list to create a multi-level list.
- DO NOT manually enter characters to create lists. (For example, using dashes for an unordered list, or typing "1." to create a numbered list.) This creates problems for people using assistive technology.
- Using the list buttons in the toolbar is more efficient and accessible for all.
Still Need Help?
Creative Production offers help with document formatting, design, and redesign if needed. Please note, Creative Production cannot ensure accessibility for content created by other users. They may need to re-create a document to ensure accessibility if you choose to use their services. Costs apply. Submit a ticket to request Creative Production services
IT Solutions primarily supports digital accessibility for academic and course-related materials including document accessibility, captioning and transcription services. Support for other content may be available if time allows, with costs applying to non-course materials. Submit a ticket to request IT Solutions services