Creating Accessible Documents

Let’s build accessible documents!

Word, PowerPoint, Excel and PDF files can be accessible if you keep accessibility in mind when creating your documents. These programs all include a “check accessibility” button inside the software. Run the check and resolve issues prior to distribution. While the built-in checker tools do not ensure compliance with TAC 213, it is an excellent starting point. To further assist you, we will soon post a checklist here for all TAC requirements. Please check back or contact accessibility@uta.edu.

  • All images must have alternative text (In Word and PowerPoint: right click, edit alt text).
  • All formatting is done with styles. Every webpage/document has at least one line tagged H1 (do not use the Title tag in Word, screenreaders skip it).
  • Instead of Bold, use the style Strong. (In Word and PowerPoint, use the Strong style button. In html use the Strong tag.)
  • Instead of Italics, use the style Emphasis. (In Word and PowerPoint, use the Emphasis style button. In html use the Emphasis tag.)
  • Ensure you have sufficient color contrast.
  • Do not rely on color as a single identifier. Underline hyperlinks and use patterns in charts and graphs.
  • Tables in Word: Include alternative text and have the header row repeated on new pages. Do not merge cells or have empty cells.
  • In PowerPoint, every slide must start with a Slide Master – never draw a text box.
  • If not presenting through Teams when using PowerPoint, turn on subtitles.
  • Check accessibility on PDFs, Word Files, and PowerPoint files with the “check accessibility” function. On webpages, use Siteimprove to check accessibility.
  • Contact accessiblity@uta.edu for help.

From UTA

UTA’s Center for Distance Education has a public Canvas Course, “Accessibility In Your Course” that provides an excellent training and resource tool for all faculty and staff. This course is highly recommended.