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Re: Does WCAG require headings start at 1?

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From: David Engebretson Jr.
Date: Jul 23, 2021 5:11PM

I agree with Birkir,

We often suggest there be one heading level 1 that reflects the title element of the page, and that it is at the beginning of the main region; the spot where visually oriented folks are meant to be drawn to initially.

Then all major subsections of the page are at heading level 2, sub sub sections are at heading level 3, the most important thing is that the major sections and subsections follow a numerically logical order. It's an "outline" of the information on the page/document.

If there are heading levels before the one heading level 1 then that is okay. Most assistive technology users know that the one heading level 1 on the page is the beginning of the main content.

Peace,
David

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of Birkir R. Gunnarsson
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2021 1:09 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Does WCAG require headings start at 1?

Yeap, it's a great article.
The short answer is, no.
1.3.1 basically says that text that looks like heading should be marked up as headings and text that looks bigger should be presented as lower level headings.
The largest heading on the page, tyipcally the title of the main contnet, should have the lowest heading level (typically h1).

Anything that looks smaller than that should have a higher heading level.
If two headings visually look to have the same emphasis (they get the same visual treatment) they should have the same heading level.

The best/most predictable heading structure is to have the main content of the page start with an h1 heading.
Sometimes you have headings as part of the header navigation (e.g. to separate sections), I'd use h2 or h3 headings for those (and, yes, to someone navigating the page with a screen readers they will come first).


On 7/23/21, Jonathan Avila < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
> You may find this article useful about headings:
> https://www.tpgi.com/heading-off-confusion-when-do-headings-fail-wcag/
>
> Jonathan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of
> Krista Greear
> Sent: Friday, July 23, 2021 3:40 PM
> To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
> Subject: [WebAIM] Does WCAG require headings start at 1?
>
> CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do
> not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender
> and know the content is safe.
>
>
> Perhaps this question is a bit silly but I'm looking for confirmation
> -
>
> Is there any where in the WCAG that says that web page headings need
> to start with an h1? There are numerous examples on the W3's site that
> have headings start with an h2.
>
> Thanks!
>
> --
> Krista Greear
> Accessibility and Inclusivity Crusader ATHEN Executive Council Vice
> President Access Technology Higher Education Network
> <https://athenpro.org/>
> > > archives at http://webaim.org/discussion/archives
> > > > archives at http://webaim.org/discussion/archives
> >


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