The Basics

The following considerations are the most important to keep in mind when creating content designed to be accessible by individuals with disabilities:

• Always caption or use Alt Text on images for individuals using screen readers

• When creating/presenting video content, always verbally describe or read what is being presented visually on the screen.  

  • • It need not be a lengthy explanation, just enough to provide context to anyone who can't see the screen.  

• Use Headings and lists in written content/resources.

  • • Use styles from the ribbon/menu area, don't simply change type size or font.

• Use clean fonts such as Ariel or Verdana and good contrasting colors such as black on white.  

  • • Avoid using combinations such as navy blue on black or yellow on white.

• Label links appropriately 

  • • Good example: ”Click here for more information about Martin Luther King Jr”

    • Avoid links that say “Click Here” or "More Information"

• Add captions to any video content.

  • • Closed Captions can be added to any YouTube content.  

Other Sources of Information

Resources from WCBVI:

• Making Presentations Accessible to a Blind or VI Audience: A Guide for Presenters (Google Slides)

• Making Presentations Accessible to a Blind or VI Audience: A Guide for Presenters (Google Doc)

• Making Images Accessible in Word, Google Docs, and Social Media

Resources from UW Madison (Shared by Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction)

• Creating Accessible Content

• Accessibility Knowledge Base

• Introduction to Screen Readers (Video) 

Resource Modules from Section508.gov

• How to Create an Accessible Document in Microsoft Word (14 Modules)

• How to Author and Test Microsoft PowerPoint Presentations for Accessibility (14 Modules)

• How to Make an Accessible Spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel (11 Modules)

• How to Test and Remediate PDFs for Accessibility Using Adobe Acrobat DC (5 Modules)

From Around the Web:

• Wisconsin AT Forward Presentation: AT Community of Practice October 27th, 2020 Accessibility 101 Resources

  • • The What and Why of Accessibility - YouTube

    • Making Content Accessible (Colors, Fonts, and Links) - YouTube

    • Making Online Content Accessible and Accessible Text - YouTube

    • Accessing and Creating Speech to Text - YouTube

    • Google Slides Presentation: Accessibility 101

• Ability.org - Social Media Accessibility 

• Accessibility Social - A Resource for Creating Accessible and Inclusive Social Media Content

• AEMcast: Designing for Accessibility 

• American Anthropological Association Accessibility Page

• American Printing House for the Blind: Social Media Accessibility Tips

• Axe-Con (the live event has concluded but recorded sessions can be accessed on the schedule pages linked here)

• Imagine Being Blind and Trying to Attend a Virtual Event. Try That Next Time You Stage One

• University of Washington: Creating Accessible Videos

• What Stevie Wonder can Teach the World about Accessible Design

Image Descriptions

• AFB: Writing Effective Image Descriptions or Alt Text

• Audible Image Description in a Pinch (YouTube video)

  • • Audible Image Descriptions in a Pinch presentation (.pdf)

    • Audible Image Description Checklist (.docx)

Checklists and Workflows

• Accessibility Compliance Checklists - Department of Health and Human Services

• Create and verify PDF Accessibility with Adobe Pro (Workflow)

YouTube and Other Video Content:

• Accessibility Video Training - Microsoft Support

• YouTube Playlist - Ten Quick Accessibility Tests 

Webinars: 

• Life Changers: How Accessibility Laws, Guidance, and Awareness are changing Lives (APH Webinar)

• Creating Accessible Power Points - YouTube

APH Hive Courses 

Note: These courses are free of charge, but require an APH Hive account.  To get a Hive account, go to: https://aphhive.org and sign up. Once you have an account, go to: Course Catalog > Foundations > Click on the course > Enroll .  Direct links to each course are listed below for your convenience.

• Building Accessible Power Points

• Building Accessible Word Documents