Creating Accessible Documents

Staff Development DayInformation Technology

October 14, 2013

Gravity

Accessibility is like Gravity…

It’s not just a nice thing, it’s THE LAW

What is Accessibility?According to the Microsoft online tutorial, Create an accessible office document…

Accessibility means making something usable by everyone—including people with disabilities.

Since you can't always find out specifics about your audience, you should create documents that are as accessible as possible to everyone.Source: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/frontpage-help/create-an-accessible-office-document-RZ006380094.aspx?section=1

What is Accessibility? – Part 2

Another term used for accessibility is: Universal Design

Types of DisabilitiesConsider the types of disabilities your readers may face when accessing your content.– Vision– Hearing– Mobility– Cognitive– Language– Seizure

Making Documents Accessible

All Microsoft Office documents—except Visio—can be made accessible when used for their intended purpose.

Screen ReadersPeople with vision disabilities use screen readers for accessing digital text & web sites•JAWS = Job Access With Speech•YouTube: Introduction to the Screen Reader (7:04) – University of Wisconsin-Madison•YouTube: Word screen reader example (2:31) – Karen Sorensen (Portland Community College)•YouTube: Using JAWS with Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 – Normandale Community College (begin at 3:02)

Making Electronic Documents Accessible

The MN.IT Services web site offers tutorials on creating accessible documents

MN.IT Services: Making Electronic Documents Accessible: http://mn.gov/oet/governance/for-agencies/accessibility/electronic_documents.jsp#

Structural Formatting Features

Structural formatting allows users to navigate the document:•Table of contents•Styles and headings•Document properties•NO text boxes (use a 1x1 table instead)•Table headings and bookmark•Repeat header rows

Descriptive Text Features

Descriptive text explains pictures, charts, and graphs to users:•Add Alt Text for images, objects, SmartArt, table cells, and charts. •Use descriptive text for hyperlinks. Do not use “Click here…” as a hyperlink.

Layout FeaturesLayout design makes the content accessible to use and understand:•Do not use color as the only way to differentiate content. •Add text and textures to fill chart data. •Place images in-line instead of floating in front of text.•Use Outline View to create/check accessible content in PowerPoint presentations

Scanned PDF filesPDFs created from scanned documents may be image-only, not searchable text:•Test existing documents using Adobe Reader

1. Open in Adobe Reader2. Click View + Read Out Loud + Activate Read Out Loud3. Click on text or select View + Read Out Loud + Read

to End of Document

•May use Adobe Acrobat Pro to fix existing docs•Scan new documents using the ‘text’ setting (not line image or photo)

Campus Access: A Manual For Universal Design

Normandale Community College, in conjunction with Minnesota Learning Commons, created a step-by-step manual on Universal Design.

Minnesota Learning Commons: http://www.accessibility.project.mnscu.edu/

Document Repository: Manual Office 2010 August 2012 Update

Use the Accessibility Checker in Microsoft Office 2010 to test your document.•Save your document.•Click File.•Click the [Check for Issues] button.•Click Check Accessibility.

Fix This Document

For More Information

Refer to pages 3 and 4 of your Creating Accessible Documents handout:•Minnesota Learning Commons:•MN.IT Services: Making Electronic Documents Accessible•A Checklist for Accessible Word and PDF Documents•Microsoft Office: “Create an Accessible Office Document” •Microsoft Office: “Ten Tips for Accessible Documents”•Acrobat accessibility training resources

Questions?