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Document Accessibility

Creating Accessible Documents

Accessible documents are essential for ensuring all students can engage with course and campus materials. Faculty and staff are responsible for creating accessible Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files before sharing them with students or submitting them for publication (web, social media, and other shared content).
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ADA Title II Accessibility Overview: Preparing Our University

Need to make your content ADA Title II compliant? Learn how to create accessible Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files using step-by-step training materials.
ADA Title II Accessibility Overview: Preparing Our University
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Step-by-Step Guides

Quick reference guides for each file type:

key Accessibility Requirements

All documents must meet basic accessibility standards before being shared or published:

  • Use built-in headings and styles to organize content
  • Add alternative (alt) text to images
  • Use descriptive link text (avoid “click here” or “read more”)
  • Structure tables with proper header rows
  • Ensure sufficient color contrast
  • Avoid scanned or image-based PDFs when possible

before You Share

Before submitting or distributing any document, review it for accessibility. Check that headings are properly used, images include alt text, links are descriptive, and tables are structured correctly. Built-in accessibility checkers can help identify common issues.