Document Accessibility Checklist

This checklist has been designed as a quick and easy resource. Explore the links for additional information, hints, tips and tutorials.

You can also print out a copy of the checklist to use as a “cheatsheet” when creating your documents.

Headings

Headings are created using the application’s built-in Heading/Styles tool (located in the toolbar).
Page titles use H1 and sections use H2 through H6.
Headings follow a logical nesting order and do not exceed six levels.

Images have alternative text (alt-text).
Alt-text conveys the same information as the image itself, appropriate for the context – whatever meaning you want to convey with the image should be put in the alt-text.
Images can be enlarged to 200% without pixelating.
Images are added in-line and do not have wrapped text in Word and Google Docs.
Images do not flash more than three times per second.

Images containing words (e.g., memes, comics, etc.): Use the image text as the alt-text.
Diagrams (e.g., flowcharts, graphs, etc.) – if they are the sole source of information: Provide alt-text that conveys the same information as the diagram.
Diagrams (flowcharts, graphs, etc.) – if they are a visual representation of information already explained in-text: Use “Diagram as described in text” for the alt-text.
Images of tables: Convert to tables. Adequate alt-text cannot be added.
Images that are purely decorative: type “decorative” to the alt-text field and check the “decorative” box (if available).

Images of equations have been converted using an equation editor
Equations have been created using the Equation Editor in LMS or tools such as MathType, EquatIO, or MathML.
- Simple equations can use the keyboard for = and +. Special characters/symbols must be used for everything else including −, ÷, and ×.
- Note: Equations in PDF documents are not and cannot be made accessible.

Lists are formatted using the list tool found in the application’s toolbar menu.
Lists are not the sole mode for formatting instructional content (i.e. lecture/content outlines – e.g accessible headings are used for major sections).
The correct list type is used:
- Ordered (numbers or alphabetical) for information that is chronological or hierarchical.
- Unordered (bulleted) for information with no ranking or order attached.

PDF Documents have been OCRed (not scanned) and are selectable, searchable, properly tagged, and the reading order is accurate.
Underlined text is not used for emphasis as it can be mistaken for a link (use bold and italics instead).
Spelling and Grammar have been checked.
Documents are consistent in style and navigation.
Text is left justified – no full justification is used.
Common, easy to read fonts are used (no cursive or overcomplicated fonts).
A minimum of 11pt Calibri and 12pt Times New Roman equivalent font size is used.
Line spacing between lines is at least 1.15.

Slides have been created using an accessible template.
Slides have descriptive titles.
Slide titles are unique.
A minimum of 24pt font sized is used and there is plenty of white space on all slides.
Reading Order has been checked and adjusted for each slide.

Accessibility Checker have been run and all issues, errors and warnings have addressed.