Guidelines: One Stop Article Setup and Format

The consistency of our digital content creates a positive experience for users and makes it easier to search for articles. The Accessibility Team recommends that you apply the Core Topics of Digital Accessibility to your articles. In addition to the Core Topics of Digital Accessibility, this style guide will assist content creators in producing consistent accessible One Stop articles.

Tip: Use the built-in toolbar for document formatting.

1. Font:

Sans Serif fonts; Franklin Gothic and Arial are the official VCSU font styles.
Point: A minimum of 12 point or higher is recommended for One Stop articles.
Color: Automatic black, except for links.
Style: Avoid unnecessary font formatting—examples: Italics, Word Art, and fancy fonts.
Reserve underlines for links only.

2. Setup:

Alignment: Left-hand alignment. Do not use full justification.
Ensure there is adequate spacing and your sentences are easy to read.
Headings: Use the One Stop built-in heading and paragraph formatting options. Examples: Heading 1, Heading 2, and Normal.
Use numbered lists for step-by-step instructions.
Breakdown tasks with sub-lists or bullets.

3. Tables:

Do not use a table for image layouts.
Must include column and row headings.
Use simple tables only.
Avoid merging cells when possible.

4. Keep It Simple:

Use short sentences.
Break up big paragraphs.
Avoid all caps. Example: ALL CAPS
Use CamelCase on hashtags. Example: #CamelCase.

Additional Information from One Stop:

Note, that all links open in a new window.

Guidelines: Email Accessibility

For more information or to schedule a training appointment, please contact:

Debra Dramstad, CPACC

Web Accessibility & Applications Specialist

Technology Services | Valley City State University

debra.dramstad@vcsu.edu | 701.845.7344

[Updated, August 2024]