Making Microsoft Word Documents Keyboard Accessible | Section 508 for Word

Today, we’re diving into a crucial aspect of making Microsoft Word documents compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: ensuring keyboard accessibility for links. This element is not only fascinating but also essential for creating inclusive and accessible content.

Video Guide

Understanding Keyboard Accessibility in Word

Keyboard accessibility means enabling users to navigate and select links using the Tab key. This feature is particularly important for those who rely on keyboard navigation, rather than a mouse or touchpad. However, using the Tab key in Microsoft Word differs significantly from its use in PDFs or webpages. In Word, pressing Tab adjusts the document’s formatting, rather than navigating between links. This difference poses a unique challenge for ensuring accessibility in Word documents.

Creating Live Links in Word Documents

A vital step in achieving keyboard accessibility is ensuring that links are live and interactive. For example, if you highlight a link in Word and remove its hyperlink, it retains the appearance of a link but becomes non-interactive. Pressing Enter on such a deactivated link simply adds a new paragraph to the document. In contrast, a live link, when selected and activated with the Enter key, will open in a web browser. This functionality is essential for meeting the criteria of Section 508 compliance.

Navigating with Screen Readers

Live hyperlinks in Word documents play a significant role for users of screen readers like JAWS or NVDA. When using these assistive technologies, users can pull up a list of all the links in a document. This capability allows them to quickly navigate and activate any link they choose. Ensuring that all links in a Word document are live and functional is therefore critical for making content accessible to screen reader users.

Download the Free Section 508 Checklist for Microsoft Word:

In conclusion, keyboard accessibility in Microsoft Word is a key component of creating accessible documents. By understanding the challenges and implementing solutions like live links, we ensure that our documents are not just compliant, but also inclusive and accessible to everyone.

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!