Creating accessible item content

When creating items, you should consider how they may be made accessible.

This article provides suggestions and best practice guidance on how item content can be made accessible.

Best practices for writing item content

• Write in short, clear sentences and paragraphs.
• Avoid using unnecessarily complex words and phrases.
• Expand acronyms on first use. For example, “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)”.
• Use list/number formatting as appropriate.
• Consider using images, illustrations, video, audio, and symbols to help clarify meaning.
• Avoid relying on sensory characteristics to convey information (e.g. “how many sides does the red shape have?”). 
• Add suitable alt text for images and transcripts for media items.

Best practices for items 

• Avoid timed items.
• Avoid auto-playing media.
• Avoid content delay.
• Provide labels where possible (e.g. Advanced Essay).
• Ensure all accessibility-related instructions (such as required keyboard shortcuts) are clearly communicated to candidates in advance of the test.