Let's set aside for a moment the principle that web accessibility helps users with disabilities consume content. Even visitors with no disabilities at all will benefit from well-organized content that presents information clearly and intuitively.
With that foundation in place, it's worth noting that this principle becomes doubly important when we're talking about users with visual impairments. How does that play out in practice — and what does it have to do with content hierarchy?
If you've read our previous articles, you're probably already expecting some examples. Let's dive in.
What Is Content Hierarchy?
When people talk about information hierarchy on a website, headings are usually the first thing that comes to mind — and rightly so. Headings have their own hierarchy, which helps us create a clear structure for the content as a whole.
That said, content hierarchy isn't limited to headings alone.
For example, we can create an in-page table of contents that jumps users directly to each section of the article with a single click.
Content hierarchy can also appear as an introductory summary at the top of a page. AI-generated summaries are becoming increasingly common on news sites — think outlets like the BBC or CNN. These summaries are part of the hierarchy too, giving readers a quick preview of what the content covers before they commit to reading it.
How Does Content Hierarchy Help Users with Disabilities?
Headings are, without question, the single most important element for helping users with visual impairments — including blind users — understand the structure of a page. A clear heading hierarchy is what allows screen readers to communicate how the content is organized.
We regularly encounter websites where every heading is tagged as H3, or even H4 and H5. The result? A blind visitor to that site will struggle to make sense of the content in any meaningful way.
To put yourself in the shoes of a visually impaired user: in most screen readers, you can press the numbers 1, 2, 3, and so on to jump to the next heading at that level. Pressing 2 takes you to the next H2 heading; pressing 3 takes you to the next H3, and so on.
Imagine the frustration of having to guess the heading hierarchy — never quite knowing whether you're in the right place in the document as you navigate step by step.
How to Check Whether Your Content Is Accessible and Hierarchical
The golden rule: use a correct heading hierarchy.
H1 appears once, at the top of the page. Below it, H2 headings mark the main sections of your article. If a particular H2 section breaks down into subsections, those should be tagged as H3 — and so on down the hierarchy.
Beyond that, read through your content with a critical eye: does it help users understand the structure of the article at a glance?
Well-organized paragraphs, consistent punctuation, logical sectioning where needed, and descriptive ALT text for images — when your content reads clearly for a sighted user, it will also be understandable in a structured, hierarchical way for a visually impaired user relying on a screen reader.
Paragraph and Line Length
At User Accessibility, we recommend keeping lines to no more than 90 characters.
Long lines make it genuinely difficult for the eye to find the start of the next line.
The less visual strain we put on readers, the easier we make it for everyone — including users with attention or concentration difficulties.
Clearer paragraph breaks also make it much easier for users to find their place in the text.
Is a Content Summary Mandatory for Web Accessibility?
No — but if you want to be genuinely inclusive and make your site accessible to everyone, any tool that makes life easier for your users is a worthwhile addition.
For instance, users who struggle with reading or language processing can get a lot of value from a text summary — it helps them make the most of their time. A blind user whose screen reader reads out the summary can quickly decide whether they want to keep listening to the rest of the page or move on.
In short, our golden rule is this: the more we help our users navigate the site comfortably, the more accessible and usable it becomes for everyone.
Want your website to meet the highest web accessibility standards? Get in touch with us — a User Accessibility specialist will be happy to review your site.