Description List Elements Check
Description
The “Description List Elements Check” evaluates whether all <dt> (definition terms) and <dd> (definition descriptions) are properly nested inside a <dl> (description list).
Example outcome
I noticed that all <dd> and <dt> elements are contained within a list.
Impact
- Visual Impairments: Screen readers may not correctly associate terms with their definitions.
- Cognitive Disabilities: Users may struggle to understand relationships between terms and explanations.
- Learning Disabilities: Glossaries become ineffective if term-definition structure isn’t preserved.
Fixes
To address inappropriate description list elements:
- Locate the inappropriate description list element.
- If it is placed outside a description list, either wrap it in a
<dl>element or replace the tag by one that correctly serves its purpose. - Ensure that a
<dt>and a<dd>element are always paired and in this order.