No, I do not mean “a passing accessibility checker”. I mean, how do you make your stuff work with people who use Assistive Technology?
FREE Section 508 Microsoft Word Accessibility Checklist
Video Overview: Making Word Documents Accessible
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to identify and fix common accessibility issues in Microsoft Word documents.
Unlock the power of accessible Microsoft Word documents. Proper formatting is crucial for those who depend on assistive technology to read and access information. This page aims to provide you with comprehensive resources for creating accessible documents in Microsoft Word by meeting specific criteria.
Getting Started
Before we get too far – I have a whole section on specific Section 508 Requirements for Microsoft Word. But the rest of this post will still cover important factors for setting up your docs!
The Accessibility GUy
Document accessibility in MS Word is determined by its underlying structure and styles. This structure enables easier navigation for assistive technology users. Without this structure, navigation becomes difficult.
Below are the most important elements to consider for creating accessible Word documents. Each link leads to a dedicated blog post and video tutorial on how to implement the element. These are general best practices to consider.
- Heading Styles: Learn how to apply heading styles to improve document structure and navigation.
- Lists – Unordered vs Ordered: Understand the difference between unordered and ordered lists and how to use them effectively.
- Table Accessibility: Ensure your tables are accessible with proper formatting and structure.
- Alternate Text for Images and Graphics: Add descriptive alternate text to images and graphics for better accessibility.
- Accessible Hyperlinks in Microsoft Word: Format hyperlinks for easy navigation by assistive technology users.
- Accessibility Checker: Utilize the built-in accessibility checker in Microsoft Word to identify and fix potential issues.
- Accessible Forms: Setup your form in MS Word and then convert it over to PDF to make it fully accessible.
Additional Considerations for Word Accessibility
This page will be updated with new topics as they become relevant.
- Color Contrast
- Headers and Footers
- Page Numbers
- Applying Columns in Microsoft Word – A great alternative to using heading structures or tables for formatting.
- Exporting to PDF – Ensure you have the correct settings for a smooth export process!
- Customizing Heading Styles in MS Word
- Two or more languages in your document
Format Documents for Accessibility Before Exporting
Investing time in formatting your Word document for accessibility will make it easier to convert the file to other accessible formats later. The more time you can spend in Word, the easier it will be to convert to PDF.
Need Assistance with Document Remediation?
If you find the remediation process too complex or time-consuming, our team is here to help. We can make any of your documents accessible at a reasonable price. So far, we’ve made over 100k pages accessible. Get in touch today!
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