Uttlesford District Council - Council Tax Reduction Scheme Policy 13a and Schedule 1a of the Local Government Finance Act 1992

Changes to postal vote handling and secrecy

Ensures that headings in PDF documents follow a logical hierarchical order for accessibility.

## What this means

Headings in a PDF should be arranged in a logical sequence, much like a table of contents in a book. This means using a consistent hierarchy of heading levels (like Heading 1 for main titles, Heading 2 for subsections, etc.). Headings should not skip levels abruptly (e.g., jumping from Heading 1 directly to Heading 3).

## Why it matters

1. **Accessibility**: Screen readers rely on a logical heading structure to navigate content, making it essential for users with visual impairments.
2. **Readability and Navigation**: A well-structured document with logically ordered headings enhances readability and allows all users to navigate the content more efficiently.
3. **Consistency and Professionalism**: Logical heading order reflects a professional approach to document creation and helps maintain consistency across documents.

## How to fix

1. **Review Heading Levels**: Check your document to ensure that headings follow a sequential order without skipping levels.
2. **Modify Headings**: If any headings are out of order, adjust them using your PDF editing tool to align with the logical structure.

## Testing Methodology

Silktide's checks your PDF to identify the sequence of headings. It flags PDFs where the heading order is not 
hierarchical (e.g., a Heading 3 directly following a Heading 1).

Headings in a PDF should follow the sequence Heading 1 > Heading 2 > Heading 3 without skipping intermediate headings.
It is acceptable to 'go back' to previous styles/headings but the sequence should then continue without missing headings.

### Limitations
- **Contextual Analysis**: Silktide might not fully grasp the context behind the document's structure, so manual review is recommended for complex documents.
- **Styling Variations**: Variations in styling that are not properly tagged might not be detected accurately.

## Further Reading

- [Understanding WCAG: Headings and Labels](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Understanding/headings-and-labels.html)
- [How to Organize PDF Content with Accessible Headings](https://www.adobe.com/accessibility/pdf/pdf-accessibility-overview.html)

Title / URL	Issues
Uttlesford District Council - Council Tax Reduction Scheme Policy 13a and Schedule 1a of the Local Government Finance Act 1992www.uttlesford.gov.uk/media/13014/Rules-for-the-2024-25-Scheme/pdf/Council_Tax_Reduction_Scheme_Policy_13a_and_Schedule_1a_2024-25_1my5ea31z5lf3.pdf?m=1735819901770	1
Changes to postal vote handling and secrecywww.uttlesford.gov.uk/media/12782/Briefing-note-for-candidates-and-elected-members-changes-to-postal-vote-handling-and-secrecy/pdf/Briefing_note_for_candidates_and_elected_members_-_changes_to_postal_vote_handling_and_secrecy_1.pdf?m=1733217376397	1

Ensure PDF headings follow a logical order

Uttlesford District Council

Where this issue has occurred