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University of Houston System

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  3. Digital Accessibility
  4. Accessibility Resources
  5. Self-Guided Accessibility Learning

Resources

Self-Guided Accessibility Learning

Benefits of Accessibility Remediation of Digital Electronic and Information Resources (EIRs)

Aside from the fact that making digital content accessible to individuals with disabilities helps the University achieve compliance with both federal and state laws, additional benefits include:

  1. Helping people with disabilities consume content fully.
  2. Avoiding legal complaints of possible discrimination.
  3. Reaching a wider audience with materials that are more modern.
  4. Increasing usability and Search Engine Optimization (SEO ensures a website appears high on the list of results returned by a search engine increasing possible visits).
  5. Supporting a higher-quality code base for your websites.
  6. Building a posted brand image with consistency (such as using accessible templates across the institution).

Creating Digital Content for EIR

Some key steps needed for accessibility are the same regardless of whether your document is in HTML, Microsoft Word, PDF, or another format:

  1. Make sure all text is readable (i.e. text-searchable and not just a scanned image) with the correct reading order.
  2. Use headings.
  3. Use formatted lists.
  4. Add alternate text to images.
  5. Identify document language.
  6. Use tables correctly (identify column and row headers, identify blank areas and do not split cells or merge cells except in the title area).
  7. Understand how to export from one format to another to keep accessible formats intact.

Below you will find application- or document-specific steps for creating accessible EIRs. Click the links under each application or file type to view best practices for creating accessible documents and how to check content for accessibility. Explore more articles containing accessibility-related topics.

Resources by Content Types (e.g. spreadsheets, PPT, email, PDF's, etc.)

When creating digital documents, reference the links shown below to review and use Microsoft (MS) Word accessibility resources to create accessible content or remediate identified accessibility issues.

Accessible Technology & Tools: MS Office Accessibility for Documents

Accessibility Checklists for Documents

General Accessibility Resources for Documents: The following resources provide general information that can be applied for accessible document design and general tips. 

When creating digital spreadsheets, reference the links below for Microsoft (MS) Excel resources to create accessible content or remediate identified issues.

Accessibility Technology & Tools: MS Office Accessibility for Excel

Accessibility Checklists for Spreadsheets

General Accessibility Resources for Spreadsheets: The following resources provide general information that can be applied for accessible spreadsheet or table design as well as general tips. 

When creating digital presentations, reference the links below to create accessible content or remediate identified issues.

Accessibility Technology & Tools: Microsoft (MS) Office Accessibility for PowerPoint

Accessibility Checklists for PowerPoint

General Accessibility Resources for PowerPoints: The following resources provide general information that can be applied for accessible PowerPoint design and presentation tips. 

When creating emails, reference the links below to create accessible content or remediate identified issues.

Accessibility Technology & Tools: Microsoft (MS) Office Accessibility for Outlook email

Accessibility Checklist for Emails

General Accessibility Resources for Emails: The following resources provide general information that can be applied for accessible email design and features that may improve accessibility for some users. 

When creating Portable Document Format (PDF) files, reference the links below to create accessible content or remediate identified issues.

Accessibility Technology & Tools: Resources for PDFs 

Accessibility Checklists for PDFs

General Accessibility Resources for PDFs and Forms: The following resources provide general information that can be applied for accessible form and PDF design.

When creating web pages, reference the links below to create accessible content or remediate identified issues.

Accessibility Technology & Tools: HTML web pages  Accessibility Checklists for Web Content

General Accessibility Resources for Web Content: The following resources provide general information that can be applied for accessible web design. 

When creating Canvas course content, reference the links below to create accessible content or remediate identified issues.

Accessibility Technology & Tools: Canvas course content 

Accessibility Checklist for Online Courses

General Resources for Online Courses:  The following resources provide general information that can be applied to support online course development.

When creating multimedia and live presentations, reference the links below to create accessible content or remediate identified issues.

Accessibility Technology & Tools: Multimedia and live presentations 

Accessibility Checklists for Media Content

General Accessibility Resources for Media Content: The following resources provide information about assistive technology and general information that can help prepare accessible live or multimedia content.

When creating social media, reference the links below to create accessible content or remediate identified issues.

Accessibility Technology & Tools: Social media content 

General Accessibility Resources for Social Media:  The following resources provide information to support accessible design for social media content.