Accessibility Practices
Use the following accessibility practices to make PowerPoint presentations accessible and improve usability for everyone.
- Write in plain language, avoiding jargon.
- Use a unique title on each slide.
- Use accessible PowerPoint templates.
- Use slide layouts to ensure consistent structure.
- Make changes to the template design within the slide master.
- Check slide reading order.
- Ensure the contrast ratio between text color and the background color is at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
- Avoid gold on white: Accessible Text & Color.
- Visit the Check Accessibility webpage for a list of contrast checkers.
- Do not use color as the only method to convey meaning.
- Include an additional descriptive component such as text, patterns, or shapes.
- Learn more about Contrast and Color Accessibility (WebAIM).
- Use sans serif fonts (such as Arial or Helvetica).
- Use a font size of about 24 points or larger.
- Be concise. It’s preferable for your presentation to have more slides with fewer words per slide.
- Use bullets and ordered lists.
- Write link text that helps users know something about their destination if they click on it.
- Avoid phrases like “click here,” “learn more,” and “read more.”
- Visit WebAIM’s article on Link Text and Appearance to learn more.
- Visit Microsoft’s instructions on add accessible hyperlink text and ScreenTips
- Explore the DIAGRAM Center guide on how to describe non-text content such as charts and graphs.
- Learn how to add alt text to visuals in Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Embedded media (video and audio files) need captions or subtitles.
- How to: Add closed captions or subtitles to media in PowerPoint
Check for Accessibility
As you design, develop, or create digital content, always check accessibility