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Make sure the long description is visible to all users. Even if they are links, or buttons.
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This pie chart is missing a long description. This will be an issue to readers who cannot see at all or can see very little.  |
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This pie chart is now accessible due to it having a link. The link will take the reader to a long description or index when clicked.  |
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This pie chart contains a long description that tells the reader what is on the pie chart. This will make it much easier to understand the chart, and learn at a faster pace.  |
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This example is accessible because a table is under the pie chart. The data table and the chart have the same information. Now a person with a screen reader has a better option to read the data.  |
Section 5.4: Using Captions
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All creators should avoid using any watermarks or backgrounds that distract from the actual text or image of a document. It is best to simply not use them at all. One of the most common examples of a water mark is when a person creates a draft. Instead of using a watermark, just type up at the top, “This document is a draft”. This will make it easy for a screen reader to read the warning or information to a reader.
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The “Draft” watermark going across the page is very distracting and takes away from the importance of the text itself. Do not use watermarks in this way.  |
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This draft tells the reader at the top, before anything is read, that it is a draft. If you have a draft, confidential papers, or top secret information, place the queue at the top of the paper.  |
Section 5.6: Floating Objects
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Go to the Insert Tab.
In the Illustrations Panel, click the Shapes Button.
Click Create Textbox in the upper left corner of the dropdown menu.
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A text box is used above. There really was no reason to put text inside a text box. Placing it on the document itself would have meant the exact same thing. |
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There is no text box used and the text is on the document as it should be.  |
Create a Warning or Alert to the Reader that there are Text Boxes
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These text boxes do not have any warning or alert. Now the screen reader will look past them and the readers would have no idea they are there.  |
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These text boxes now have that important warning, including instructions on how to access the text boxes.  |
Position Text Boxes Inline with the Text
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This example has the text box appear out of line in the paragraph. The result is a mess in format, poor design, and difficult to read text.  |
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This text box is now inline with the text. It causes very little disruption to the format and look of the page. To make your text box inline with the text, click the text box. Then click the Layout Options button, finally, click Inline with text.  |
Text Boxes should be given Alt Text
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Alt text for a text box is not read automatically, but you should still create an alt text for readers. Its always good to get into this habit, especially since technology improves at a rapid pace.  |
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This text box has alt text and it describes, in short, what the content is in the text box.  |
Section 5.7: Smart Art
In order for Smart Art to be accessible, only two rules must be followed.
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The Smart Art has to be Inline with the Text
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When the Smart Art is not inline with the text, it integrates itself into the text. This causes a huge mess of space. The smart art forces all of the words to clear away and it blends itself poorly into the paragraph.  |
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This Smart Art example shows it outside of the text. The Smart art does not interfere with anything and adds a good look to the page.  |
The Smart Art must have an Alt Text
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There is no Alt Text, so the reader and screen reader will ignore this image and move on. There is important information in the graph, so always include an Alt Text.  |
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An Alt Text has been included in the Word Document. The alt text explains exactly what is in the graph and describes the graph itself.  |
Section 5.8: Shapes
Shapes cannot be read by screen readers because it is considered to be floating content. Each screen reader treats shapes differently. NVDA announces the shape as “slash”, but does not read the alt text. JAWS announces the type of shape and the size, but does not read the alt text. VoiceOver automatically reads the alt text and announces that it is a shape, but not what shape. In short, there is no good way for shapes to be read yet. When creating shapes, follow these rules to make them more accessible.
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Rule 2: Make the shape inline with the text. To do this, right click the shape, go to Wrap Text > In Line with Text.
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The shape is not inline with the text. With the shape overlapping the text, the shape could interfere with a person ability to see the text.  |
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The shape is now inline with the text. This presents a more organized look for the page, and nothing is distracting the viewer.  |
Rule 3: It is always recommended to add Alt Text to a shape. To do this, right click the shape. Then click Edit Alt Text. In 100 characters or less, describe your shape.
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