Using Microsoft Word, there are tools built in to the software that will help you create accessible documents. Follow Microsoft’s guide to making accessible documents and review highlights below.

Headings

• Documents typically have sections and a hierarchy to those sections.
• Use the built in style tools to format the sections of your document.

• You can edit the look of each style by selecting ‘More Styles” then “Manage Styles”

• Use “Heading 1” only once per document
• Never skip heading numbers; text marked as  “Heading 4” needs to always come after a “Heading 3”

Images

• All documents that include images need to use alternative (or alt) text to describe the images. If an image does not convey information mark it as “decorative”
• Add Alt Text to an Image in Word click “Format Picture”

Links

• Use a meaningful description as your link rather than inserting a full URL into your document. (ie. Link to Microsoft’s Accessibility Best Practices)
• Highlight the text you want to turn into your link
• Then, select insert “Hyperlink” and paste or enter the full URL to which you want to link.

Accessibility Checker

• Use the built in Accessibility Checker.
• The Accessibility Checker may appear in different locations depending on your version of Word or Microsoft’s changeable whim. The easiest way to find it is to click into the search bar, marked with text “Tell me what you want to do”, and type “Accessibility Checker”.