{"id":2963857,"date":"2026-05-01T10:23:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T17:23:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=2963857"},"modified":"2026-05-01T10:34:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T17:34:55","slug":"how-to-create-an-accessible-story-structure-in-arcgis-storymaps","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/constituent-engagement\/how-to-create-an-accessible-story-structure-in-arcgis-storymaps","title":{"rendered":"How to create an accessible story structure in ArcGIS StoryMaps"},"author":94522,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":""},"categories":[37131],"tags":[31881,28911,398132,27881],"industry":[],"product":[36611],"class_list":["post-2963857","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-constituent-engagement","tag-508-compliance","tag-accessibility","tag-arcgis-storymaps","tag-storytelling","product-story-maps"],"acf":{"authors":[{"ID":94522,"user_firstname":"Lara","user_lastname":"Winegar","nickname":"Lara Winegar","user_nicename":"lwinegar","display_name":"Lara Winegar","user_email":"lwinegar@esri.com","user_url":"","user_registered":"2020-09-10 17:47:42","user_description":"Lara is a Sr. Content Specialist on Esri's StoryMaps editorial team, where she has been contributing since 2020. She enjoys crafting educational and accessible stories, as well as instructional content. Lara also creates how-to materials to support story authors in developing their own educational materials.","user_avatar":""}],"short_description":"How to create a story structure to meet accessibility standards in ArcGIS StoryMaps.","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

When you create digital content, making sure that it\u2019s accessible to everyone is vital, and your content\u2019s structure is the key to your story\u2019s success. By making your site compliant with ADA Title II Web and Mobile Accessibility<\/a> and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 AA standards<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>you ensure that anyone can access your story. This article provides best practices and guidelines using ArcGIS StoryMaps<\/a>\u2019 built-in accessibility features to help you easily structure stories that everyone can access.<\/p>\n

The integrated accessibility features in the StoryMaps builder provide a vital framework screen reader software uses to navigate the content. This structure helps all readers better understand your story, including those affected by neurodivergence or focus and attention span challenges. And don\u2019t forget that most people tend to skim content first to decide if it\u2019s worth a closer look.<\/p>\n

Before we dive in, it\u2019s worth mentioning that design strategies that support accessibility are often simply good design habits<\/em>. By integrating accessibility considerations into your workflow at the start of your project that build on ideas from our Planning before you start your story<\/a> and Narrative structures for stronger storytelling<\/a> articles, you can ensure that you\u2019re using the best story design strategies available. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2155152,"id":2155152,"title":"ArcGIS StoryMaps - Logo Separator","filename":"ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","filesize":5584,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/announcements\/whats-new-in-arcgis-storymaps-on-arcgis-enterprise-11-2\/arcgis-storymaps-logo-seperator","alt":"ArcGIS StoryMaps logo separator.","author":"340882","description":"","caption":"","name":"arcgis-storymaps-logo-seperator","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2087022,"date":"2023-11-13 06:07:02","modified":"2023-11-13 06:07:33","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1304,"height":128,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator-213x128.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":128,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":46,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":75,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","large-width":1304,"large-height":128,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","1536x1536-width":1304,"1536x1536-height":128,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","2048x2048-width":1304,"2048x2048-height":128,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator-826x81.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":81,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","wide_image-width":1304,"wide_image-height":128}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Create a navigable structure using text tags<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A navigable structure is essential to making your story accessible for people using screen readers.<\/p>\n

To create the navigable structure in the ArcGIS StoryMaps builder, authors assign a tag within the text block by highlighting the text and assigning the type. The options include: H1, H2, H3, paragraph, and lists. The following are some best practices:<\/p>\n

Use headings and subheadings consistently to outline your story<\/h3>\n

Ideally, your story outline plan includes logical headings and subheadings. Write short, consistent, and predictable heading levels for your story. Apply the tags: Heading 1 for major sections, Heading 2 for subsections, and Heading 3 for more detailed sections. These tags allow assistive technologies to jump between sections. Don\u2019t skip levels \u2014 <\/span>for example, jumping from H1 to H3 is not recommended.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2964341,"id":2964341,"title":"Heading_1","filename":"Heading_1.gif","filesize":3650732,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Heading_1.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/constituent-engagement\/how-to-create-an-accessible-story-structure-in-arcgis-storymaps\/heading_1","alt":"A screen recording of the ArcGIS StoryMaps builder shows the steps to tag text. It starts with a plus sign and the phrase Add content block, followed by the content block menu that shows the following text tagging options: Paragraph, heading 1, heading 2, heading 3, bulleted list, numbered list, and quote.","author":"94522","description":"","caption":"The steps to add text tags in the ArcGIS StoryMaps builder.","name":"heading_1","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2963857,"date":"2026-04-30 14:53:00","modified":"2026-04-30 14:56:57","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Heading_1-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Heading_1.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Heading_1.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Heading_1.gif","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Heading_1-1536x864.gif","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Heading_1.gif","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Heading_1-826x465.gif","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Heading_1.gif","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Enable story navigation<\/h3>\n

The H1 tag creates the text used on the story navigation bar near the top of your story, which you can activate in the design panel of the story builder. You can also edit the story navigation text to make it shorter. These headings also make your story easier to read at-a-glance.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2964345,"id":2964345,"title":"Navigation_2","filename":"Navigation_2.gif","filesize":6120705,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Navigation_2.gif","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/constituent-engagement\/how-to-create-an-accessible-story-structure-in-arcgis-storymaps\/navigation_2","alt":"A screen recording of the ArcGIS StoryMaps builder shows the top menu bar with arrows that open a fly-out menu with following options: Design, Insights, Preview, and then opening the Design panel to show six cover options and the optional story sections, Navigation, which is clicked to move the slider to the on position.","author":"94522","description":"","caption":"How to activate the Navigation bar in the ArcGIS StoryMaps builder. ","name":"navigation_2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2963857,"date":"2026-04-30 14:58:27","modified":"2026-04-30 15:02:30","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/gif","type":"image","subtype":"gif","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Navigation_2-213x200.gif","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Navigation_2.gif","medium-width":464,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Navigation_2.gif","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Navigation_2.gif","large-width":1920,"large-height":1080,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Navigation_2-1536x864.gif","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":864,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Navigation_2.gif","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1080,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Navigation_2-826x465.gif","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Navigation_2.gif","wide_image-width":1920,"wide_image-height":1080}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Keep paragraphs short<\/h3>\n

Another way to help your readers is by using short paragraphs they can skim and still get the gist of your story. Put the most important information in the first sentence of your paragraph \u2014 or the first paragraph of several \u2014 to support skimming.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Group related items in lists<\/h3>\n

The StoryMaps builder includes tags for bulleted and numbered lists<\/strong>. This formatting is optimized for screen reader software to interpret. Grouping related content also supports reader understanding.<\/p>\n

Create lists that use the same grammatical pattern for each group item. For example, start each entry with the same part of speech, such as a noun or verb. Keep lists short, otherwise you defeat the purpose of the list. You may also consider using the built-in table block<\/strong> to group data or related information.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2155152,"id":2155152,"title":"ArcGIS StoryMaps - Logo Separator","filename":"ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","filesize":5584,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-storymaps\/announcements\/whats-new-in-arcgis-storymaps-on-arcgis-enterprise-11-2\/arcgis-storymaps-logo-seperator","alt":"ArcGIS StoryMaps logo separator.","author":"340882","description":"","caption":"","name":"arcgis-storymaps-logo-seperator","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2087022,"date":"2023-11-13 06:07:02","modified":"2023-11-13 06:07:33","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1304,"height":128,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator-213x128.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":128,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":46,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":75,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","large-width":1304,"large-height":128,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","1536x1536-width":1304,"1536x1536-height":128,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","2048x2048-width":1304,"2048x2048-height":128,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator-826x81.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":81,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ArcGIS-StoryMaps-Logo-Seperator.png","wide_image-width":1304,"wide_image-height":128}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Use plain language<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The plain language<\/a> writing style ensures that the content is clear, concise, and understandable. Many government organizations require using plain language style for certain content. The following tips should help:<\/p>\n

Write clearly in an active voice<\/h3>\n

Write in an active voice \u2014 for example, \u201cWe mapped the coordinates\u201d rather than \u201cThe coordinates were mapped\u201d\u2014 to help readers better understand your message. Keep your sentences short and focused on one idea to help your readers process the information. Finally, use clear transitional phrases to help your readers follow the story.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Choose your words carefully<\/h3>\n

While you should write for your audience, try to choose simple, easy to understand words. For example, the words \u201cuse\u201d<\/em> instead of \u201cutilize\u201d<\/em> and \u201cbefore\u201d<\/em> instead of \u201cprior to\u201d<\/em> can help English language learners more easily navigate your content. Similarly, avoid using figurative language, such as metaphors and idioms, which do not translate well and are culturally dependent. A common expression in one language or culture may not make sense to people from another culture.<\/p>\n

When sharing technical terms, define them the first time they appear in the flow of the text. Use a similar idea with acronyms, abbreviations, and initialisms and spell them out on first use; then use the acronym consistently afterward.<\/p>\n

When discussing data or context, explain what the data represents, and what it means and does not mean. Also, plainly share publicly available information related to your data collection or interpretation methods.<\/p>\n

Other considerations related to text and plain language include using consistent styles, such as:<\/p>\n