The Format : Style menu allows users to adjust the appearance of these tags in a Word file. These headers may be preserved and interpreted in screen readers when files are converted to PDF or other formats.The Customizing Heading Styles page has information to help authors control the formatting of these styles. For long documents, use the Heading 2, Heading 3 styles… to break up long text passages into multiple sections.Ensure that all documents include a document title and that it is marked with a Heading 1 style.To ensure that a Word document has the correct heading structure:

In Word, specific Styles are used to mark different heading levels. Headings are an important tool which allows users on screen reader to efficiently navigate to different parts of a document.

There are Formatting Tools to Avoid using, both on PC and Mac Word versions.

Clear Formatting is one way to undo altered text.

For visual effects, remember to address accessibility best practices for Color, Formatting, and Font Layout.

Text Effects will visually enhance a document without sacrificing screen reader compatibility.

In Word, Advanced Text Formatting may be used some work and some do NOT. There are tools in Word that help visually decorate and enhance a document, while still optimizing accessibility.

Accessibility does NOT equal plain and boring documents.

Numbered lists with multiple levels should use different numbering schemes on each level.

Use the list tool instead of the bullet character plus text.

For example a link saying “Readings for Feb 14” is clearer than “Click here” for the Feb 14 readings.

For links, avoid using link text such as “Here” or “Click for more.” Instead make sure link destinations are clear outside the context.

For very complex tables, a table ALT tag can be used to add extra information for screen readers (see Quickstart Guides above for details).

When inserting a data table, make sure the first row/column is marked as a header and includes a description of the type of data used in each row or column.See details in the Quickstart Guides above. For long documents, insert or generate a table of contents based on Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3 styles.Ensure that all documents use semantic heading styles.When inserting images or charts, be sure to add ALT tags or a description of the image for screenreaders.

Some content on this site based on material from Michigan State Web Accessibility and used with their permission.

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