This guide was created to help WSU Human Resource Services employees produce clear and consistent content across units. Please use it as a reference when you’re writing HRS content, whether for the website, social channels, or email.

HRS Content Managers

Use this guide with the accompanying component library to help create engaging content that’s consistent with the WSU and HRS tone and within expectations for accessibility and usability.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the HRS IT team if you ever get stuck or are unsure of whether the elements you’ve chosen or the content you’ve produced fits with the HRS guides.

These help documents include guides for creating accessible content in WordPress.

Prefer the WSU Brand guidelines. If there is any difference between this guide and the WSU Brand, use the WSU Brand.

A Focus on Usability

We produce content for a diverse audience who interacts with our material in many different ways. Our goal isn’t merely to check off boxes on a list, but to guarantee that we do not exclude people based on our design decisions. Each item on these lists contributes to our goal of meeting our users wherever they are and allowing them to access our content however they choose.

With this in mind, consider these questions as you create content for the HRS website:

  • Can someone quickly scan this document and understand the material?
  • Is the content written clearly using simple, approachable language?
  • Is the message still clear without specific sensory elements like colors, images, video, or sound?
  • Can a user navigate the page (and use interactive content like forms and links) with only a keyboard?
  • Does it use navigation, layout, and design consistent with the rest of the site and with usability best practices?
  • Are labels and instructions clear for input elements like forms?
  • Is the markup clean and structured?
  • Does this content work on at any screen or device size?