As you add your content (e.g., text, images, etc.), ensure that you consult the sections that follow to preserve accessibility.Ĭurb Cuts: The specified document language is also used by the spelling and grammar checker.If you chose an accessible template, the document will be accessible at this point. A new document based on the template will be displayed.Select your accessible template from the list.Otherwise, simply open a new (blank) document. Only use these steps if you have an accessible template available (e.g., one that you previously saved). As well, filling in the text boxes labeled Tags and Title with the terms that include “accessibility” may improve the discoverability of the template as an accessible file. Using a descriptive File name (e.g., “Accessible Memo Template”) may increase the prominence of the accessibility status. In the File name box, type a name for the template.In the Save as type list, select Word Template (*.dotx).When finished, check the accessibility of the document (see Technique 10.Ensure that you follow all of the techniques in this document.Create a new document (from the default blank template or from one of the prepackaged templates).The application-specific steps and screenshots in this document were created using Microsoft Word 2013 and Microsoft Word included with Office 365 while creating a DOCX document.Ĭurb Cuts: Updating templates is also a good opportunity to improve document consistency, copy-editing, and branding.In cases where more certainty is required, it is recommended that you test the office documents with end users with disabilities, including screen reader users. Following these techniques will increase the accessibility of your documents, but it does not guarantee accessibility to any specific disability groups.*Right-click: To right-click with the keyboard, select the object using the Shift+Arrow keys and then press either (1) the “Right-Click” key (some keyboard have this to the right of the spacebar) or (2) Shift+F10.Below are the mouse-only terms and their keyboard alternatives: However, for clarity there are several instances where mouse-only language is used. We have tried to formulate these techniques so that they are useful to all authors, regardless of whether they use a mouse. Most of these have not been checked for accessibility, but some information and/or instructions are available in Technique 11. In addition, Word offers many other word processor and web format saving options (e.g., PDF, HTML, OpenDocument Text, Rich Text Format, etc.). The default file format for Word is Office Open XML (DOCX). If you are creating forms, web pages, applications, or other dynamic and/or interactive content, these techniques will still be useful to you, but you should also consult the W3C-WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) because these are specifically designed to provide guidance for highly dynamic and/or interactive content. Typical of office-style workflows (e.g., Reports, letters, memos, budgets, presentations, etc.).Self-contained (i.e., without hyperlinks to other documents, unlike web content), and.and do not include audio, video, or embedded interactivity), Fully printable (i.e., where dynamic features are limited to automatic page numbering, table of contents, etc.Text-based (i.e., not simply images, although they may contain images),.Intended to be used by people (i.e., not computer code),.This guide is intended to be used for documents that are: In addition, Word includes an accessibility checking feature. The name comes from sidewalk “curb cuts” that were added for people in wheelchairs, but are commonly used by people with baby strollers, handcarts, wheeled luggage, and others.Īt the time of testing (December 2019), Word provides a set of accessibility features that is sufficient to enable the production of accessible digital office documents. “Curb cuts” are situations in which accommodations made for accessibility reasons will also result in significantly better and more efficient outcomes for everyone. This icon highlights “curb cut” opportunities in these techniques.