Accessible By Design

Document Accessibility Checklist

• Use sans-serif fonts, size 11 or 12, and high color contrast (black text on white background).
• Use left-aligned text, rather than center-aligned text.
• Use the software’s built-in headings to delineate sections.
• Ensure headings are hierarchical and don't skip heading levels
• Use the software’s built-in lists (bullets/numbers) instead of dashes and manual spacing
• If you have to use a table, include headers in the table and pin the header row/column.
• Add alt text to informative images or mark as decorative.
• Use informative link text, such as the title of the page. (Ex: “Module 1 Reading” not “Click Here”).
• Use text to support formatting (Ex: use a word like “Important” to mark a section of text rather than using boldface or highlighting).
• Use headings and other navigation landmarks (footers, page numbers, etc.) to organize your document.
• Use comments or suggestion features instead of writing notes to collaborators within the text of your document. Comments and suggested edits/track changes are easier to navigate for screenreader users.
• If using Word, use its built-in accessibility checker. If using Google Docs, use Ally in Canvas to check accessibility..

Microsoft Word Accessibility Checker

Google Docs Accessibility

Google Docs doesn’t have an integrated accessibility checker, so it is the responsibility of the author of the document to use the checklist above to confirm accessibility.

For more information, see Google Docs Accessibility.

Note for those who have asked: Grackle Docs is included on ASU’s vetted vendors list. Grackle Docs is a third-party accessibility checker that works with Google Docs and Google Slides, providing automated checks and guidance to support accessibility compliance. For those interested, Grackle Docs can be installed from the Google Workspace Marketplace.

Resources

ASU LX: Accessible Course Creator Canvas Training 

This course shares the resources and perspective needed to be an accessible course creator. Increase your awareness of how inaccessible content impacts learners, discover the proper resources to achieve an accessible design, and find out how to apply best practices to improve access to your course content.

Submit your accessibility questions for our next newsletter. Accessibility Questions?