• Accessibility Principles
• Get Started
• Check Accessibility

Accessibility Principles

Apply the following accessibility principles to make PowerPoint presentations more accessible and improve the usability for all users.

Give Descriptive File Name

• Video: creating accessible file names

Set Default Language

• Set language preferences in Office. Mac mirrors the system’s settings.

Make It Easy to Understand

• Write content as clearly and simply as possible.
• Use a unique title on each slide.
• Use plain language.

Apply Slide Design and Layout

• Use accessible PowerPoint templates.
• Use slide layouts to ensure consistent structure.
• Make changes to the template design within the slide master.
• Check slide content reading order.

Use Color Appropriately

• 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.
  • Learn more about WCAG Success Criterion 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) AA.
  • Go to Check Accessibility for a list of color checkers.
• Do not use color as the only method to convey meaning.
  • Include an additional descriptive component such as text, patterns or shapes.
  • Learn how to use color

Apply Text Formatting

• User 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.

Create Accessible Links

• Provide link text that describes where the link goes and gives meaning out of context.
  • Avoid phrases like “click here,” “learn more” and “read more”.
• Underline links for quick identification.
  • Do not underline non-link text
  • Steps to add link text

Write effective link text

• Link Text and Appearance
• Hyperlinks
• Use Meaningful Link Text
• Video: How to create accessible links

Add Alternative Text

• Provide alternative (alt) text to non-text objects that convey meaning.
• Keep the alt text short and concise (about 125 characters).
• If marking visuals as decorative is not an option, add “decorative” as the alt text.
• Avoid images with text when possible. If necessary, add alt text.

Write effective alternative text

• Everything you need to know to write effective alt text
• How to Write Alt Text and Image Descriptions for the visually impaired
• Making Images Accessible
• Video: Improve accessibility with alt text

Create Accessible Tables

• Use a simple table structure. Avoid merging or splitting cells and using nested tables when possible.
• Define header row for data tables.
  • Use table headers
• Do not use tables for page layout.
• Video: Create accessible tables in Word

Embed Accessible Content

• PowerPoint embedded audio or video must be made accessible.
  • How to Make Accessible Video and Audio

Get Started

Use the following resources to apply accessibility principles in the different applications (or authoring tools).

• Make your PowerPoint presentations accessible
• WebAIM: PowerPoint Accessibility
• Accessibility features in video playback on PowerPoint
• Create more accessible slides in PowerPoint video training
• Make your Google presentation more accessible

Check Accessibility

When an application (or authoring tool) allows for user-generated content, content authors must create digital information accessible to people with disabilities. As you design, develop, or create digital content, there are a few ways to check accessibility. 

• Go to Check Accessibility to get started.