Strategies
Related Guidelines1: WCAG 1.2.1, WCAG 1.4.1, WCAG 3.1.3, WCAG 3.1.4, WCAG 3.2.3
When adding text to a slide, it’s important to keep accessibility in mind in regards to the language you use. Students may struggle to process new information for a variety of reasons, and clear and consistent language and definition of terms can help them succeed.
Here are a few tips for how to adjust your language for clarity:
- Try to minimize the amount of text on each slide.
- Use short keywords/phrases and graphics on the slide and then add any longer chunks of text to a separate handout or the slide notes.
- Try to use succinct and unambiguous/literal language, especially with instructions.
- Take care to explain all acronyms, abbreviations, jargon, slang, and metaphors.
- Example: If sharing the slides with students outside of class, include the explanations/definitions somewhere in Canvas or on another platform.
- When possible, use consistent titles and names for assignments and course materials.
- Example: If you refer to the “Final Group Project” in the slides or during class, make sure it’s called the “Final Group Project” in the Syllabus and Canvas assignment as well.
- Try to avoid using only colors to distinguish between different elements when giving instructions.
- Example: Instead of writing “click the blue button”, you can write “click the submit button” or even “click the blue submit button.”
Context
Who benefits from these strategies?
Slides created with these strategies can benefit many learners. However, one or more of these strategies may be helpful for those who:
- Require a consistent and straightforward layout. See Cognitive, Learning, and Neurological Disabilities.
- Have a memory barrier.
- Have difficulty decoding uncommon words and phrases.
- Struggle with nonliteral word usage.
- Have difficulty maintaining focus and/or an increased chance of getting distracted.
- Use certain assistive technologies, such as a screen reader, screen magnifier and/or a braille display.
- Are English language learners.
Why limit the amount of text on a slide?
When possible, try to limit text to keywords/short phrases and graphics in the slides and then share longer chunks of text in an additional handout or in the slide notes.
This is a best practice that helps all learners and presentation participants. The content on the slide should supplement and enhance what the instructor(s) are saying, not distract from them. Having an entire slide of text and bullet points is distracting because learners only have so much capacity to read and listen simultaneously.
In addition, font size decreases as you add more text to a slide. Smaller text is challenging for everyone, but especially for those with low vision.