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Guidelines: Accessible Word Documents



Categories: Must SHOULD May

The "Should Items" can make access to online materials significantly easier.

 

  1. Place headings in a logical order: Headings should always be set in a consistent way. For example, a document should not jump from a "Heading 1" style to a "Heading 4" style.

  2. 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.

  3. Use the automatic "Bullets and Numbering" command to format lists and outlines. Avoid using manual outlines or using asterisks or hyphens to denote bulleted points.

  4. Use percentages rather than fixed numeric values for column width: Use the "Table Properties" to set column widths to percentages. This is especially useful when converting documents from Word to HTML.

  5. Avoid using slang or regional language in the flash presentation. Besides giving the presentation an unprofessional feel, it also hinders those that may not understand slang or are not familiar with a regional phrase, such as "y'all".

  6. Divide large blocks of information into more manageable groups where natural and appropriate. Dividing sections into more manageable groups increases the navigability ofthe document, allowing users to find what they are looking for without having to read the entire document. This is especially useful for those using assistive technologies, allowing those users to scan headers of different sections to find what they are looking for.


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