Guidelines: Accessible PowerPoint Files
The "Should Items" can make access to online materials significantly easier.
-
Consider hand-coding an accessible HTML version of the PowerPoint presentation. By integrating images from PowerPoint slides with the text of a presentation, instructors with some knowledge of web design can create an accessible HTML-based version of a PowerPoint presentation quickly and easily.
Make text equivalents short and to the point. Avoid providing overly lengthy details about clip art or photographs unless necessary to explain the relevance of the image. Short and succinct text equivalents keeps a user who is using an accessibility device such as a screen-reader from getting bored or confused.
-
Avoid using backgrounds that are overly busy or cluttered. Students with learning disabilities may be overly distracted by backgrounds - including those offered with popular PowerPoint templates - that are overly busy or complex. Another reason to avoid using complex or cluttered backgrounds is that if the presentation is converted into a webpage, it can significantly increase loading time for the presentations for those people who do not have a fast connection to the internet.
-
Create documents that validate to published formal grammars. Avoid the use of slang or regional speech in the document. Such language makes reading the PowerPoint difficult for those whose first language is not the primary language of the document. It also makes understanding the document difficult for those with cognitive disabilities.
-
Divide large blocks of information into more manageable groups where natural and appropriated.Slides in PowerPoint make separating sections of information very easy. Make sure sections of information that have clear difference in content are separated onto different slides. Even if there exists room on a slide to put more information, it is better to make a new slide to display information in a more organized and logical manner.
Top of Page
College of Architecture (