Limina11y Fundamental Essentials Series | Microsoft Office
Today’s blog post explores a new accessibility Fundamental Essentials Series, a beginner-friendly introduction to creating accessible content in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Co-created by me and the founders of Limina, Limina11y.co aims to help people understand digital accessibility before they begin fixing files.
The series focuses on a simple goal: helping people recognize what accessible content looks like and understand why it matters.
Video Guide
Why Accessible Microsoft Office Content Matters
Organizations use Microsoft Office files every day. Government agencies publish forms and policies in Word. Schools create presentations and instructional materials in PowerPoint. Businesses and nonprofit organizations share data through Excel workbooks.
People need these files to find information, complete a task, or make a decision. When authors overlook accessibility, assistive technology users may have trouble navigating the content or understanding how the information fits together.
What the Series Covers
The Fundamental Essentials Series includes three Microsoft workshops:
- Word Accessibility Fundamentals
- PowerPoint Accessibility Fundamentals
- Excel Accessibility Fundamentals
Each workshop lasts one hour and requires no previous accessibility experience. You can register for one or complete the full series.
The series helps participants understand:
- What accessibility means in Microsoft Office
- How Section 508 and WCAG apply to Office files
- How assistive technologies interact with content
- How to identify common accessibility barriers
- Which Microsoft Office features support accessibility
- When a file may need more testing or remediation
These workshops build the knowledge participants need before they move into hands-on repair work.
Microsoft Word Accessibility Fundamentals
The Microsoft Word workshop introduces the features that help people navigate and understand documents.
- Document structure and headings
- Accessible lists
- Tables
- Hyperlinks
- Color contrast
- Alternative text
Microsoft PowerPoint Accessibility Fundamentals
The Microsoft PowerPoint workshop explains how assistive technologies interact with slide-based content.
- Slide layouts
- Slide titles
- Reading order
- Lists and links
- Color contrast and use of color
- Alternative text
Microsoft Excel Accessibility Fundamentals
The Microsoft Excel workshop introduces the structural features that help assistive-technology users navigate spreadsheets and interpret data.
- Workbook structure
- Headers
- Tables
- Charts
- Hyperlinks
- Use of color
Who is the Microsoft Fundamental Essentials Series For?
This Fundamental Essentials Series supports anyone who creates, reviews, manages, or approves Microsoft Office files.
The workshops may benefit:
- People who are new to digital accessibility
- Content authors and document reviewers
- Trainers and communications professionals
- Accessibility coordinators
- Managers responsible for accessibility requirements
- Organizations preparing for Section 508 or WCAG compliance
- Teams working to meet Title II accessibility responsibilities
Participants do not need prior accessibility training.
Build Accessibility Knowledge Before Remediation
These live, one-hour workshops help participants understand accessibility through practical demonstrations, real-world examples, and common failure patterns. I will draw on my experience with accessible documents, training programs, and digital accessibility requirements to help you build the vocabulary and judgment you need before you begin fixing files.
The sessions focus on accessibility fundamentals rather than guided remediation. Applied workshops offer hands-on instruction separately.
Each workshop includes:
- One hour of live instruction
- A free accessibility cheat sheet
- A certificate of completion
Participants only need access to the relevant Microsoft Office application.
Building a Stronger Accessibility Foundation
Accessibility starts when content creators understand how people use their files. Authors can prevent many barriers by choosing the correct Office features while they create content.
The Fundamental Essentials Series gives beginners a clear place to start. Choose the workshop that best matches your work, or attend the full series to build accessible content practices from the first draft of every file.
About This New Partnership
The Fundamental Essentials Series marks the first official partnership between Limina and The Accessibility Guy to create Limina11y.co. Together, they have created the series to give beginners a clear and practical introduction to digital accessibility.
Limina brings its expertise in UX, technical research, and design operations, while Shawn contributes daily experience with accessible documents, training programs, and digital accessibility requirements. Together, they combine strategic insight with practical, real-world guidance to help make complex digital work more usable, inclusive, and effective for everyone.
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