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Headings or not headings?

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From: Fernand en Jolanda van Olphen
Date: Feb 2, 2022 4:00AM

Hi,

I am trying to figure out when something is a heading or not, because I see
a lot of different implementations.

IMO there are 2 Success Criterions which apply:

- SC 1.3.1: Text that *functions* as a heading must be *coded* as a
heading. Meaning: if you use a heading, use the h-element.
- SC 2.4.6: An element *coded* as a heading must *function* as a
heading. Meaning: the heading must describe the content that follows it.

I see a lot of websites with headings that, I think, don't really describe
the content that follows it.

Example: BBC.com
(Code simplified)

<h3><a href= >World record lightning bolt lit up three US states </a></h3>
<a href=>EUROPE</a>

<h3><a href=>The overlooked geniuses of 1922</a></h3>
<a href=>CULTURE</a

My question:
To me this is a misuse of headings. Although they look like headings, they
don't really describe the content that follows it. Any thoughts?

Kind regards,
Fernand van Olphen
Accessibility Advisor
Municipality of the Hague