PowerPoint Designing with Accessibility

Layouts

• Use simple themes, pre-defined slide layout templates.
• Slide titles are meaningful and unique. If same topic, add i.e. 1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3.
• Use default bulleted and numbered lists.
• Avoid text boxes (inaccessible) which do not show up in Outline View.

Readability

• Sans-Serif font (Arial, Calibri, Verdana, etc.)
• Maximum 6-8 lines of text per slide.
• Minimum font size 24 points or above.
• Avoid transitions and animations

Images 

• Use alternative text (alt text), a written description of images and/or objects.
• Be brief and descriptive.
• “Image of…”or “photo of…” or “graphic of” is not needed.
• The best method to practice is using captions, this will provide equal access to all users.
• Best Practices for Accessible Images

Color

• Select colors with deep contrast.
• Use Colour Contrast Analyser tool to ensure accessible contrast.
• Provide captions if using color to convey meaning i.e. which section is highlighted in red?

Links 

• Links should be clear and directly relate to the title or heading of the linked page.
• Use “Visit the Universal Design Center” instead of “Click here for more details.”
• Do not use the same link text to refer to different resources.
• Do not use different link text to refer to the same resources.
• Best Practices for Accessible Links

Tables

• Use tables to organize data not format information.
• In Table Tools, make sure the Header Row checkbox is checked.
• Include table alt text, captions or brief description.
• Avoid merged, split, or blank cells.

Multimedia 

• Ensure video files have captions.
• Ensure audio files have transcripts.
• To request media captioning from NCOD

Charts

• Use pattern fill or dotted lines texture instead of solid fill or line with labels for each.
• Provide a text summary and a properly coded data table near the chart.
• Avoid color-coding which may not be distinguishable for colorblind users.

Reading Order

• Reading order is shown in reverse, bottom to top in the Selection pane.
• To check or fix reading order, select Home > Arrange > Selection Pane.

Accessibility Checker

• Use Outline View for a quick check of text accessibility. Ensure title and body text are identified correctly in each slide.
• Use the built-in Accessibility Checker in PowerPoint.
• The checker will scan for errors and provide tips on how to fix them.