Library Guides: Accessible Resources: Documents

Creating Accessible Documents

Accessible documents create a more inclusive learning environment by making content usable by all students regardless of ability. Planning and structuring a document correctly during creation will ensure that it can be converted into a variety of alternate formats and retain accessible features.

Explore the following style and format tips for accessible document creation:

Document Types

It is important to note that a PDF created by another author cannot be made accessible and can only be checked for accessibility using a tool such as the Adobe Acrobat Pro Accessibility Checker.

Other formats are often recommended over PDFs and more information can be read in this section of Understanding Document Accessibility: The Case Against PDFs.

Make Accessible PDFs
Source: Adobe
PDF Accessibility
Source: WebAIM
Using Word Documents and/or PDFs
Source: Accessible Campus
Creating Accessible PDF files Using MS Word
Source: Queen's University
Creating Accessible PDFs with Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
Covers how to use Adobe Acrobat Pro DC to create PDFs that are accessible to people with disabilities: what it means for a PDF to be accessible.

Connect with Accessible Learning Services for assistance in making content accessible

Creating Accessible Word Documents
This video in the Accessibility in Microsoft Office Suite series describes the key points in creating the most accessible Word documents.
Creating Accessible Word Documents using Word (Win/Mac)
Source: Queen's University
Accessible Word Document Checklist
Source: Queen's University
Create more accessible documents in Word
Source: Microsoft Office
How to create accessible documents
Source: Ryerson University
Creating Accessible Word Documents
This article outlines how to can make Word files more accessible on the web. Source: WebAIM

Creating Accessible PowerPoint Presentations (Win/Mac)
Source: Queen's University
Accessible PowerPoint Presentations Checklist
Source: Queen's University
Create more accessible PowerPoint slides
Source: Microsoft Office
Using PowerPoint
Source: Accessible Campus
Creating Accessible PowerPoint Presentations
This article outlines how to can make PowerPoint files more accessible on the web.
Source: Webaim.org

Creating Accessible Excel Spreadsheets
This video in the Accessibility in Microsoft Office Suite series describes the key points in creating the most accessible Excel spreadsheets, including creating accessible tables and charts.
Start with an accessible Excel template
Source: Microsoft Office
Create more accessible tables in Excel
Source: Microsoft Office
Create more accessible charts in Excel
Source: Microsoft Office

Inclusive language respects and promotes all people using vocabulary that avoids exclusion, stereotyping, and discrimination.

Explore the following inclusive language guidelines:

Inclusive Language Guidelines
Source: Queen's University
Inclusive Language
Source: University of Victoria
Bias-free Language
Source: APA Style

Connect with Mohawk's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion department for more support.

Document Accessibility Further Reading

Understanding Document Accessibility by Digital Education Strategies, The Chang School
Reviews a wide range of document authoring applications, including the tools they contain for creating accessible documents, and tests them to ensure they do not contain potential barriers. Learn how to create accessible word processed documents, spreadsheets, presentation slides, and PDF documents, among others, so they are accessible to everyone.

Source: Physics This Week

Accessible Resources: Documents

Creating Accessible Documents

Document Types

Document Accessibility Further Reading

Screen Reader Video Demonstrations

Sample Accessible Document