Making Content Accessible

Below is a list of how to make objects more accessible. However, for more information, consult Module 7 of the Online Excellence Course.

Microsoft Word

• Use heading styles
• Use built-in formats for bulleted lists, columns, and tables.
• Use row reading on all tables.
• Avoid floating text boxes.
• Include alternative text for images.
• Do not save as a webpage.

MS PowerPoint

• Use built-in slide layouts.
• Add alternative text for images.
• Use blank alt-text on images.
• Used captioned videos.

MS Excel

• Specify column headers.
• Do not use blank cells for formatting.
• Add alternative text to images.
• Use unique names for each “sheet.”

Video/Audio

• Make media available for download if possible.
• Verify videos have accurate captions.
• Use an accessible media player, (i.e. Kaltura or YouTube)

Canvas

• Use heading styles.
• Add alternative text to images.
• Use captioned videos.
• Upload accessible documents. (See MS Word & PDF)

PDF

• Use software that creates accessible PDFs, like MS Word, using
  accessible formatting guidelines (See MS Word)
• Save as PDF with “document structure tags for accessibility.”
• MS Word for Mac cannot create accessible PDFs.
• Do not use scanned documents.

Images

• Briefly describe images with alternative text.
• Make alternative text blank for decorative images.
• Use images with good contrast.

Email

• Use descriptive links.
• Add alternative text to images.
• Do not paste image files in lieu of real text.
• Use high contrast colors.
• Use readable fonts.

Math

• Use the MathType pluigin for MS Word to write equations.
• “Export to mathpage.”
• Select “MathML Using:”
• Select “HTML+MathJax”
• Keep the exported HTML file with the accompanying source folder.