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Microsoft Word Checklist and Resources for Accessibility

Use this checklist to ensure your PowerPoint files meet standards for digital accessibility. Use the checkboxes to track your progress as you check your document.

Headings

Microsoft Video Instructions for Headings

Accessibility Tips

Checked

Instead of using a Title style, use Heading 1. Only use Heading 1 one time.

Go in numerical order when using headings.

Readability

Accessible Fonts, Line Spacing Tutorial

Accessibility Tips

Checked

Paragraph Body text – 12-point font minimum

Use accessible fonts (Tahoma, Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, and Times New Roman are great choices)

Do not use bold, underline, and italics as the only way to convey important information

Avoid all caps typing, abbreviations, or acronyms

Have a 1.5-line spacing minimum

Links

Microsoft Tutorial Video for Links

Accessibility Tips

Checked

Use meaningful text and insert links instead of pasting URL address

Tables

Microsoft Tutorial Video for Links

Accessibility Tips

Checked

First cell cannot be empty

Make sure there is a Header Row identified

Include Alternative Text

Do not merge cells

Use tab key to check order or use screen reader to check

Images

Microsoft Tutorial Video for Alt Text

Accessibility Tips

Checked

Every image, chart, clip art, table, diagram, map, and shape must include alternative text

If there is no information to relay from the image, mark it as decorative or type “decorative” in the alt text box

Other

Microsoft Accessibility Checker Tutorial
Color Contrast Analyzer Download
Microsoft Read Aloud Tutorial

Accessibility Tips

Checked

Color Contrast needs to meet WCAG 2.1 Guidelines (see link above)

Always run Accessibility Checker when creating documents to save you time. It will not catch everything, but it does help.

Delete extra spaces so that screen readers do not read them.

Read over your PowerPoint with Read Aloud or Read & Write to check the reading order.

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