Checklist for Accessibility

Designing for Access

A Quick Guide for Faculty, Staff, & Students

Making documents accessible ensures that everyone in our college community, regardless of ability or technology, can read your work.

Ask yourself these 11 questions before you save:

1. "Did I create a roadmap?"
   1. Use Styles (Heading 1, Heading 2) for titles. It helps screen readers navigate your document.
2. "Can everyone 'see' my pictures?"
   1. Add Alt Text to every image so a description is read aloud.
3. "Did I use the right math tool?"
   1. Use the built-in Equation Editor for formulas. Never paste pictures of equations.
4. "Is my color use inclusive?"
   1. Never rely on color alone to convey meaning (e.g., don't just say "The red items are required"—use an asterisk* or label too).
5. "Is my list a real list?"
   1. Use the actual Bullet or Number buttons. Typing a dash (-) isn't enough!
6. "Do my links make sense?"
   1. Link text should describe the destination (e.g., "Visit the Financial Aid Page"). Avoid "Click Here."
7. "Did I label my table headers?"
   1. Select the top row and check "Repeat Header Rows" in Table Properties.
8. "Are my tables simple?"
   1. Ensure no cells are merged Complex grids confuse assistive technology.
9. "Is my text accessible?"
   1. Remove all floating Text Boxes. Keep text inline so it flows logically.
10. "Did I name the file correctly?"
    1. Go to File > Info and type a descriptive Title (e.g., "Psych 101 Syllabus"). This ensures the PDF export has a readable name.
11. "Did I pass the test?"
    1. Run the Check Accessibility tool in the Review tab. It’s your built-in proofreader!