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Tip

This example of Alt Text is much better. It describes many details in the image so that the reader has a better idea of what is in the picture.

Section 5.2:

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Data labels are very important for accessibility purposes. If data labels are not present, then readers will have fewer queues to help them read the information. Charts, tables, and graphs can become completely inaccessible without their labels, so always add them.

To add data labels, click on your chart, and click the Chart Elements Plus sign in the top right corner. Choose which data labels you want to use and customize them so they are visible but does not distract from the chart itself.

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Warning

This table does not have any data labels on it. A person who is color blind may have trouble knowing the differences between the sections and categories.

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Tip

This table has the data labels. Now a person who has visual disabilities can still know what each category stands for without needing color.

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Long Descriptions for Complex Images, Pie Charts, and Bar Graphs

When using complex images like pie charts or bar graphs, it is better to use , you should include a link to a long description rather than in addition to an Alt Text. Alt Text is meant to be brief, while long descriptions give you a bit more freedom to explain the image. There are many ways to create a long description including:

  • Describing the complex image in text below the image.

  • Adding a link below the complex image.

  • Providing the data from the image in text form.

Make sure the long description is visible to all users. Even if they are links, or buttons.

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Warning

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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Tip

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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Tip

This pie chart contains a long description that tells the screen reader and reader exactly what is on the pie chart. This will make it much easier for the reader to understand the chart, and the statistics, and learn at a faster pace.

Info

Note: While it is also recommended to create a table for an easy way to display data, Google Slides does not have the ability to create accessible tables.

Additional Types of Long Descriptions

When you use complex images, you must describe it using Alt Text and have a longer description.

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Sometimes, 150 characters is not enough to describe your image, table, chart, or graph to a reader. Alt Text is meant to be short, while long description will let you give as much info as needed. It is recommended to create your long description in Google Docs, then link the document to your presentation.

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Warning

This image of the Hagia Sophia in Turkey has an Alt Text. However, there is no long description.

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Tip

This image of the Hagia Sofia has an alt text. There is also a link to the long description that will go into more detail about what is in the picture.

Section 5.

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3: Watermarks and Backgrounds

Watermarks and background images should not be used. They will interfere with peoples ability to read the page. Watermarks and backgrounds tend to be very distracting to most readers. It is best to use a background that does not interfere much at all with the text on the slide.

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Tip

This background does not interfere with the text and gives the PowerPoint a very professional look.

Section 5.

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4: Text Boxes, Shapes, and Other Floating Objects

Google Slides differs from Google Docs in one very significant way: floating objects are easy to navigate and make up the very nature of the entire slide. The title field in a slide, for instance, is a text box. Users just needs to hit the tab button to navigate slide and each object will be selected, announced, and the alt text (if present) will be read.

You do not need to add alt text to text boxes, since the contents are directly read by a screen reader, but you must add alt text to other non-text objects, including shapes and icons (and of course, images, graphs, charts, etc.).

Section 5.5: Labels on Charts and Graphs

Data labels are very important for accessibility purposes. If data labels are not present, then readers will have fewer queues to help them read the information. Charts, tables, and graphs can become completely inaccessible without their labels, so always add them.

To add data labels, click on your chart, and click the Chart Elements Plus sign in the top right corner. Choose which data labels you want to use and customize them so they are visible but does not distract from the chart itself.

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Warning

This table does not have any data labels on it. A person who is color blind may have trouble knowing the differences between the sections and categories.

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Tip

This table has the data labels. Now a person who has visual disabilities can still know what each category stands for without needing color.

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