In the world of web accessibility, it’s the little things that make a big difference. And when it comes to summary elements, one of the most important little things is the discernible text. Discernible text is text that is either visible on the screen or that can be read by a screen reader. It’s important for all of your interactive elements to have discernible text so that users can understand what they do. This guide will explore the importance of discernible text for summary elements and how to fix it.

Think of your summary elements as a row of unlabeled doors. Without a label, you have no idea what’s behind each door. The same is true for your website. By giving each summary element a unique and descriptive discernible text, you can create a more accessible and user-friendly experience for everyone. For a deeper dive into the world of accessibility, see our article on accessibility.

An illustration of a summary element with clear and descriptive text, symbolizing the importance of discernible text for summary elements.

Your Guide to a More Accessible and User-Friendly Website

Fixing missing discernible text for summary elements is a simple but important task. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Identify Your Summary Elements Without Discernible Text: Use an accessibility testing tool like Creeper to crawl your site and identify any summary elements that are missing discernible text.
  2. Add Discernible Text to Your Code: You can add discernible text to your summary elements by simply adding text to the summary element. You can also use the ‘aria-label’ or ‘aria-labelledby’ attribute to provide a short, descriptive name for the summary element.

The SEO Power of an Accessible Website

An accessible website is a more successful website. By making your website more accessible, you can improve your user experience, reach a wider audience, and even improve your SEO. For more on the importance of a well-structured website, check out this guide to summary elements from WebAIM.

Don’t let your summary elements be a mystery to your users. By taking the time to give them discernible text, you can build a more accessible and successful online presence. For more on how to create a winning on-page strategy, see our article on on-page SEO.

An illustration of a checklist, symbolizing the importance of making sure your summary elements have discernible text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a summary element?

A summary element is an HTML element that is used to create a disclosure widget. A disclosure widget is a control that allows you to show and hide a block of content. It’s often used for things like FAQs, accordions, and other types of collapsible content.

Why is it important for my summary elements to have discernible text?

It’s important for your summary elements to have discernible text so that users can understand what they do. This is especially important for users who are blind or have low vision, as they may not be able to see the summary element itself.

How do I add discernible text to my summary elements?

You can add discernible text to your summary elements by simply adding text to the summary element. You can also use the ‘aria-label’ or ‘aria-labelledby’ attribute to provide a short, descriptive name for the summary element.

Ready to make your summary elements more accessible? Start your Creeper audit today and see how you can improve your use of discernible text.