Checking for Accessibility in Documents

Microsoft Word has an easy tool available for you.

As I am working with documents (and working with professors who are working with documents), it is clear that there needs to be an easy tool to make sure our handouts and writing will adapt to screen readers and people who are using alternative fonts for reading needs.

• The basics of Accessible design include:
• Use the Style Pane to create navigation tools with the Headers, Lists, and Normal Text.
• Make sure that the colors used have a strong contrast ratio.
• Use a color checker to see how different color-blindness will be affected by your color  choices.  I take a screen shot of the text and upload it.
• Use Alt-Text for tables and images.

Microsoft Word has an accessibility tool that you can add to your toolbar.  To do this,

1. Go to the File>Options (PC) or Word>Preferences (Mac) and look for tools that are not in the toolbar.
2. Find the Accessibility Checker and add it in.

When you are working on your document, periodically run the accessibility checker. If you have not yet developed a sense of accessibility, use this tool frequently.  It isn't like pell-check, do NOT wait until the end.  If you are creating something incorrectly, it is much easier to stop and learn before you get to the end and realize that you need to add alt-text for every table.

The National Center on Disability and Access to Education has a great collection of cheatsheets on creating accessible content.   I recommend and use these frequently!