Documents (Word, Docs)

Issue

Electronic documents (including those that people can download from your site or Canvas) are subject to the same accessibility requirements as websites. 


What to do

In documents you’ll want to pay attention to: 

  • Color contrast: see Color contrast.
  • Heading structure: See Heading hierarchy.
  • Alt text: See Alternative (alt) text.
  • Meaningful link text: see Link text.
  • Data table accessibility video (Microsoft help video but same principles apply in Google Docs)
    • Include a header row and column headers
    • Only use tables for data. DO NOT use tables to influence the page layout (ie. create a two-column layout or a layout with rows)
  • List formatting (use numbered for lists with hierarchy or sequence, bulleted for lists without)

Recommended tools

Who’s affected

People who:

  • Use screen readers (blind, low vision)
  • Have cognitive disabilities

WCAG standard


Find more: , ,