How to Create Accessible Slide Transitions in PowerPoint

Today’s post presents a simple and effective alternative to traditional PowerPoint slide transitions, ensuring that every user can follow along without complications.

Video Guide

Why Accessibility Matters in Slide Transitions

Designers and presenters must consider accessibility when building PowerPoint presentations.

Transitions should support, not hinder, comprehension. Automated or overly complex animations can disrupt a screen reader’s interpretation or make it harder for users with cognitive impairments to follow the presentation. Creating accessible transitions helps deliver messages clearly and inclusively.

Limitations of Traditional Transitions

Most users create bullet-by-bullet effects by:

• Applying visual transitions like Fade or Push
• Setting the slide to advance on mouse click

These methods can confuse assistive technologies, trigger sensory discomfort, and lead to inconsistent user experiences. Animations also require additional technical configuration, which can introduce unexpected results during live presentations.

The Accessible Alternative: Slide Duplication

You can achieve clear and accessible bullet-by-bullet transitions by duplicating slides and editing content manually.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare the initial slide
   Create a slide with a title and two bullet points.
2. Duplicate the slide
   Right-click the slide in the thumbnail pane and choose “Duplicate Slide.”
3. Modify the first version
   On the duplicate, delete the second bullet point. This version will show only the title and first bullet.
4. Keep the second version intact
   Leave the second slide as it is, displaying both bullet points.
5. Set up slideshow playback
   Open the Slideshow tab, click “Set Up Slide Show,” and choose “Browsed by an individual (window).”
6. Navigate using the keyboard
   Use the left and right arrow keys to move between slides, simulating a bullet-by-bullet transition.

Benefits of This Method

• Maintains full compatibility with screen readers
• Requires no animation or transition configuration
• Gives presenters complete control over pacing
• Simplifies transitions in large slide decks
• Ensures consistent presentation behavior across devices

Tips for Enhanced Accessibility

• Keep bullet points short and easy to scan
• Use high-contrast text and backgrounds
• Avoid automatic slide progression
• Test your slides using screen readers before presenting

Final Thought

Accessible design improves communication for everyone. Using simple techniques like slide duplication, presenters can ensure their message reaches all audience members effectively, without relying on potentially disruptive animations.

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!