Getting Started with ArcGIS StoryMaps

ESRI StoryMaps follows the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). According to their accessibility statement, "Stories created with the story builder support keyboard navigation, alternative text, suitable color contrast, semantic structure, and other accessibility design and feature considerations." While many of the accessibility features are built-in and require no additional effort from the author, authors will need to provide alternate text for any included media (i.e. photos, video, maps, embedded content).

Adapted from "Writing accessible StoryMaps content" by Shana Crosson.

StoryMaps Integrated Accessibility:

1. Navigation - StoryMaps was created so that everything that can be clicked on by a mouse can be accessed using standard keyboard navigation, such as the Tab and Enter/Return keys as well as the Spacebar.
2. Colors and fonts - StoryMaps has built-in themes that were all tested to have visual contrast and be color-blind friendly. If you choose to create a custom theme then use a color contrast checker.

Author-dependent Accessibility:

1. Use meaningful headings - StoryMaps has headings and subheadings options that add structure to your textual elements. These structural elements are crucial for navigating pages.
2. Use the embedded text structure - This includes using the built-in bulleted and numbered lists when appropriate.
3. Use alternative (or alt) text for all media - Alt text uses textual information to stand in for media such as photographs, videos, maps, and gifs. It typically describes the image and its purpose. For a video on how to add alt text to media in StoryMaps, please see the video at the bottom of this page.
4. Add captions to video - If uploading your own video, upload your script as well, so people can read along. If embedding a link from another website (such a YouTube), check to see if the video has captions enabled.
5. Use readable hyperlinks - Using words like "Click here," "Linked," or "Read More" don't tell the reader what is being linked. Screen readers tell readers that they are on a link then read exactly what words are linked, so it is best to use words that are descriptive. For example, instead of "Link to the site to learn about StoryMaps" use "StoryMaps LibGuide Tutorial."

To add alternative text to a piece of media, look for and select the gear icon at the top of the selected media. This gear icon is called Properties. Enter your alternative text and select save.