Missing Headings Check

Description

The “Missing Headings Check” evaluates whether the page contains at least one semantic heading (e.g., <h1>).

Example outcome

I noticed that this page has no headings.

Impact

• Visual Impairments: Users rely on screen readers to announce headings as navigation landmarks. Missing headings means more effort to scan or jump between content sections.
• Motor Impairments: Keyboard-only users often rely on heading navigation (e.g., using keyboard shortcuts to jump to next/previous heading).
• Cognitive Disabilities: Clear headings provide cues that help users understand page hierarchy and flow, reducing cognitive overload.
• Neurodivergent Disorders: Structured headings support focus and reduce confusion for users with ADHD or autism.

Fixes

To address missing headings:

1. Add a <h1> heading with the main title of the page.
2. Add other headings, from <h2> to <h6> to denote sub-sections in a logical, hierarchical manner.

Resources

• WCAG 2.2: Understanding Success Criteria 1.3.1
• WCAG 2.2 Techniques: Technique H42: Using h1-h6 to identify headings
• WebAIM: Semantic Structure: Regions, Headings, and Lists