It’s like following the instructions for putting together flat-pack furniture—if the steps are in the right order, it can be straightforward. But if they’re out of order, you might end up putting things in too early or late, and it just doesn’t work.
Why does reading order matter?
- for everyone: a logical reading order helps readers follow the flow. Imagine reading a story where the ending comes before the beginning—it’s confusing. documents work the same way.
- for assistive technology users: screen readers follow the reading order you set. If it’s messy, the content can feel jumbled and incomplete.
Picture this
You’re reading a report that starts with the appendix, jumps to a conclusion, and ends with the introduction. Confusing, right? Now imagine hearing that with a screen reader—it would be even harder to make sense of.
Steps to improve the accessibility of reading order
- Think like a reader. Start with the title, then follow a logical sequence- introduction, main content, conclusions.
- Place visuals logically. Position images or tables near the text they explain.
- Use headings. Headings act as signposts, guiding readers and screen readers through the document.
- Test the order. Imagine hearing it read aloud—does it make sense? if not, rearrange the order.
Quick tips
- Use built-in tools like Word’s accessibility checker can preview the reading flow.
- Check hidden content to ensure footnotes and annotations don’t disrupt the order.
- Keep it simple and let information flow naturally without unnecessary jumps.