To celebrate this annual event, below we have put together some tech tips to help you improve the accessibility of the content you create.

Text and fonts in Microsoft 365

Tip 1

Use a Sans Serif font like Calibri or Arial and avoid fonts with serifs like Times New Roman.

Why? Sans Serif fonts are easier for people with a visual impairment to read.

Tip 2

Use large enough font sizes in your documents and presentations. The recommended minimum font size is 12 for Word and 24 for PowerPoint.

Why? Minimum recommended font sizes support those with visual impairments.

Tip 3

Emphasise text using bold instead of all caps or italics.

Why? Bold instead of all caps or italics is easier to see and read, also for screen readers.

Tip 4

Add headings to Word documents and titles to all PowerPoint slides (using title holders, not text boxes.)

Why? Headings and titles are important because they allow people with screen readers to navigate the documents.

Colour and images in Microsoft 365

Tip 1

Add descriptions / alternative text to images. If the image does not add any information, mark it as 'decorative'.

Why? Meaningful alternative text helps people using screen readers fully understand the content of an image. Without it, people using screen readers may not be able to make sense of the image nor the document as a whole. Alternative text is also used if an image cannot be loaded properly.

Tip 2

Use off-white on PowerPoint slides.

Why? Using off-white on slides reduces glare and makes text easier to read.

Tip 3

Ensure there is sufficient colour contrast between foreground and background colours. Avoid grey text, green on red, etc.

Why? Too little contrast makes the text difficult to read.

Microsoft Excel

Tip 1

Avoid merged cells.

Why? A screen reader will be unable to parse a merged cell correctly.

Tip 2

Label everything.

Why? People using screen readers use the labels for context.

Tip 3

Give sheets meaningful titles.

Why? Giving sheets meaningful titles helps give those using screen readers context.

Tip 4

Avoid blank sheets.

Why? Blank sheets will be read by a screen reader and waste time.

Accessibility Checker in Microsoft 365.

Tip

Use the Accessibility Checker in Microsoft 365 apps such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Why? The tool will help you identify and correct any potential accessibility issues in your documents.

Blackboard Ally

Tip

Use Blackboard Ally to check and improve the accessibility of your documents.

Why? Blackboard Ally analyses content uploaded into Blackboard against accessibility standards and provides step-by-step guidance on how to improve the accessibility of the content if needed.