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The Accessible Syllabus

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Content and tips are based on this document:

(https://spsfaculty.commons.gc.cuny.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/1145/files/2018/05/Creating-Accessible-Word-Documents.pdf)

Motivation

Best Practices: Readability

THIS sentence is an example of less accessible font choices and oTHER vISUAL vARiAtIoNs.

• Choose a simple, easy to read font
• Check your spelling/grammar! The syllabus is associated with your name and scholarship.
• Don't use the appearance of the font (color, shape, font variation, placement, etc.) as the only way to convey meaning (e.g., !!!STUDY FOR EXAM 6!!!)
• Avoid red and green colors (which people who are color blind cannot recognize)
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Using Headings

Using Word’s Styles ensures that your document is consistently structured and formatted, allows screen reader users to navigate through the document easily, and enables you to create a quick Table of Contents (see next section).

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To assign a heading level to a section title, highlight the title using your mouse, and then click on the appropriate heading from the “Styles” section of the “Home” toolbar.

Adding Links

Because screen readers will read every letter, avoid using the entire web address as your hyperlink text.

Instead of: Fill out this user survey online here!!!: http://www.surveymonkey.com/SAMPLE/

Try: Please fill out the online user survey.

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If you are adding a reading, let the students know where the link will go:

Instead of: CLICK HERE FOR TUESDAY READING

Try: Your Grandchildren Are Already in Debt, by Steven Rattner. The New York Times, Feb. 11, 2019.

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Lists!

Just in Case…

Word 2011 and later includes an accessibility checker that allows you to check for accessibility problems in your document.

In Word 2011 and 2013, to run the accessibility checker, select the “File” tab, click “Info,” then “Check for Issues.” Select “Check Accessibility” from the drop-down list.

In Word 2016, click the “Review” tab on top of the page and select “Check Accessibility.”

Save as PDF (Part I)

The accessible features of your document, including heading levels, clickable table of contents, and Alt Text will be maintained when converting your Word document to PDF. To save your Word document as an accessible PDF, click on “File” and then “Save As.”

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Requires additional steps in Microsoft 2013 (Export instead of “Save as,” then Options)

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Troubleshooting: Microsoft Word vs. Mac

Word documents created using Word for Mac 2013 or earlier cannot be saved as fully accessible PDFs as they will not retain any structure tags (headings, lists, table headers, etc.) from the original document.

Save an accessible PDF with Office for Mac 2016 1. Select File > Save As (or press Command+Shift+S), type the file name in the Save As text box, and then choose where you want the file to be saved. 2. In the Save As dialog, go to the File Format drop down box. Use the Down Arrow to browse through file types, and select PDF. 3. Select the radio button "Best for electronic distribution and accessibility (uses Microsoft online service)." This ensures the PDF is tagged. Select Save.

Motivation and Glory