How to make accessible documents

Document Accessibility

Document accessibility applies to all documents, whether they are posted to a website, a file sharing application, or distributed through email. In general, accessible documents have structural formatting in the form of headings, tables, and lists that allow users to navigate the document. They use descriptive text that describe photos, charts, and graphs to users. When your documents are accessible, everyone can access them, regardless of physical abilities.

Microsoft Word

Common accessibility checks for Word documents:

• Use heading and paragraph styles in your document

• Add document properties for title, subject and author

• All photos, charts and graphics should have alt text descriptions added to them

• Hyperlinks should contain meaningful text and not just “click here”

Accessibility Checker Cannot Check"

• Tables that are too complex

• Image color and contrast or indications based on color choice

• Missing document properties

• Correct language settings

• Proper list formatting

Run the Accessibility Checker

1. On the ribbon, select the Review tab. 
2. Select Check Accessibility

[File:AccessibilityCheckIcon.png]