Word documents are easy to create and allow you to easily format content for accessibility. Before sharing content in Word document format, consider if it is the most appropriate and accessible format in which to share content with your readers. For example, Word documents require additional software and may require readers to download the content to view it. Presenting content on an accessibly formatted webpage or course page (e.g., Webcourses@Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½) may present fewer barriers as compared to a Word document. However, there are times that a Word document is the preferred format (e.g., a worksheet or project charter that someone needs to complete). If you determine that a Word document is the most appropriate format for your content, follow the best practice below to ensure you create accessible documents.
Best Practices
- Use the while you work in Word.
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- Mark visuals as decorative if they don’t provide useful additional information.
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- instead of using paragraph breaks (e.g., pressing enter/return).
How to Check if it is Accessible
- . It will guide you through making the document accessible.
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Resources
- provides directions for creating accessible documents using the Windows, Mac, or the web versions of Microsoft Word.
- provides instruction on what makes a Microsoft Word document accessible from WebAIM.
- (Â鶹ӳ»´«Ã½ login required) – A free tutorial with exercises on making Microsoft Word documents accessible.