Quick Tips

Please check this section often, as it will be constantly updated.

• Here are some general things to remember when thinking about accessible documents Many of these things could also apply to websites. For more information, visit the resource guides on this page.

   

  Colour
  It’s mostly about contrast. THE colours you choose are not as important as the contrast between background and foreground. THE sharper the contrast, the better.

   

  Font
  Sans-seraphs are better, specially when using a data show as the seraphs can sometimes cause screen flicker which makes letters harder to see. Examples of sans-seraphs are Verdana and Ariel. Use a minimum of 14-point when using large print, and 24-point for data show.

   

  Style
  Use the styles provided by the application rather than entering them manually. These can include headings, lists, tables and columns in Microsoft Word and the Auto-Layouts in Microsoft PowerPoint. They give your document a consistent design, make it easier to convert to braille or HTML and make the document easier to navigate with a screen reader.

   

  Design
  Use the right style for the right purpose! Only use tables for tabular information, use the columns feature for a newspaper-type presentation etc.

   

  Images
  *Always* add Alternative text to pictures, graphics, auto-shapes, objects. Search engines wil like it and so will your vision impaired or blind students.

   

  Format
  Always ask your student which format they would like. IF you want something universal, think about whether it really needs to be PDF. RTF can be read by both Mac and PC, it takes far less time and skill to convert and doesn’t need rendering before being read by a screen reader. It also retains the most important formatting features, like reading order.

   

  Content
  Try to be descriptive when: adding hyperlinks (don’t just write “click here”), labelling your images or describing the content of your PowerPoint presentation. Think about what information your student needs in what context. There’s a link to a great mini-tutorial on this website.

   

  REMEMBER: an accessible document is usable by everyone!