No Flashing or Flickering Text in Word Documents

Welcome to another post in our series focusing on enhancing Word accessibility to ensure Section 508 compliance. Today, we learn the importance of removing flashing, flickering, and animated text to ensure Word accessibility.

Video Guide

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that federal agencies’ electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities. This includes documents created in Microsoft Word. Compliant documents do not contain any flashing, flickering, or animated text.

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Flashing and Animated Text for Section 508 Compliance

Flashing and flickering elements in documents can be a significant barrier for people with photosensitive epilepsy or other light-sensitive conditions. Section 508 compliance aims to eliminate these unnecessary visual effects.

In Word documents, this includes:

Rapidly flashing text or images
Animated GIFs that flash or flicker
Any element that causes a distraction or discomfort due to light sensitivity

An embedded flashing GIF in a Word document

It’s important to note that such elements can be a health risk for some viewers. Therefore, we advise caution when viewing the video guide to this blog post, especially if you’re sensitive to light changes.

Always review your Word documents for any such content that could be harmful or inaccessible, and simply delete it.

Download the Free Section 508 Checklist for Microsoft Word:

Ensuring your Word documents are Section 508 compliant is not just about adhering to regulations; it’s about making your content accessible to everyone. Removing flashing, flickering, and animated text from your Word documents is a straightforward yet effective way to achieve this. Remember, accessibility benefits all users, not just those with disabilities.

I can be your accessibility expert. 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!