Accessibility in mind

An accessible document is one that has been designed and formatted to be as user-friendly as possible for people with disabilities. This includes providing text alternatives for non-text content like images and videos, providing keyboard navigation for navigation, and using high-contrast colors for people with low vision. Accessibility is so important because it helps ensure that everyone can access the same information, regardless of any physical or cognitive disabilities they may have. By having an inclusive and accessible digital environment, we can help ensure that everyone has the same opportunity to access digital content and services.

Document Accessibility Checklist

Here is a comprehensive document accessibility checklist to help you ensure your documents are as accessible as possible.

  1. Use appropriate formats. PDFs are generally the most accessible format for documents, but you should also consider using HTML, plain text, RTF, or other formats as needed.
  2. Use headings and subheadings. Headings and subheadings help to create an organized structure of your document to make it easier to scan and comprehend.
  3. Make sure the text size is easily adjustable. It’s important that users can easily increase or decrease the size of the text without losing the formatting of the document.
  4. Use descriptive language when labeling images and other visual elements. Make sure to use descriptive language when labeling images, charts, graphs, and other visual elements in order to make the document more accessible to those with vision impairments.
  5. Use standard fonts. Standard fonts like Arial, Helvetica, and Times New Roman are easier for screen readers to interpret.
  6. Include alternative text for images. Include alternative text for images to provide a description of the image for those with vision impairments.
  7. Avoid PDF tables. PDF tables are not supported by many assistive technologies, so it’s best to avoid them if possible.
  8. Use proper color contrast. It’s important to use colors that have sufficient contrast with the background to ensure your document is accessible to color-blind individuals.

We hope this checklist is helpful.

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Also Read: What is Section 508 & Why it is important to comply with it?