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Created by Christine Zaza, Ph.D., University of Waterloo and Reviewed by Stephanie Boragina, MMath

Tips for Creating Accessible Materials

This section is available for download: Tips for Creating Accessible Materials (PDF)

Text

  • Place text over a solid background (not over an image or a patterned or transparent background)
  • Use sans serif font with hefty weight that provides good contrast with the background. Note that Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Tahoma, Times New Roman, and Verdana are considered accessible fonts.
  • Select a text colour that provides high contrast with the background (e.g., do not use yellow text on a white background)
  • Do not use underline to emphasize text; underline should be used for hyperlinks only
  • For a PowerPoint presentation, use at least 18 pt text
  • Avoid using images of text; if an image of text must be used, ensure there is an alternative text format available

Headings

  • Use headings to organize content; each heading should describe the content that follows the heading
  • Apply headings using the built-in styles in the application you are using (e.g., MS Word)
  • Use the Heading 1 just once; this heading should describe what the document/page is about
  • Apply heading levels in a way that creates a logical hierarchy from the top down
  • Do not skip heading levels
  • Headings should not be applied simply to change the size or appearance of a block of text

Use of Colour

  • Do not use colour as the only way of differentiating information
  • Use sufficient colour contrast between the text and the background
  • Do not use yellow as a colour for text that is placed on a white background

Links

  • Use concise link text that describes the destination of the link – do not write “click here” as the link text
  • For external links, let the user know that the link opens in a new window
  • Specify the format of the destination of the link (e.g., [PDF], [website], etc.)

Tables

  • Use tables to display information that is suitable for presenting in rows and columns
  • Designate table row and column headers
  • Include a caption
  • Do not leave any table cells empty

Images

  • Include alternative text for images that convey meaning
  • For decorative images, indicate this in the image alt text
  • Describe complex images in surrounding text or include a long description of the image

Multimedia

  • Provide closed captions for multimedia, wherever copyright allows, and correct errors in audio-generated captions
  • Provide transcripts for multimedia, wherever copyright allows, and correct errors in audio-generated transcripts
  • Provide a descriptive video option or another alternative format to allow those who cannot see the video display to know who and what is being shown
  • Allow the user to control multimedia features (e.g., captions, when and how fast to play a video)
  • Do not use effects (e.g., flashes, motion) that can provoke unwanted physical reactions such as seizures or nausea

Navigation and Design

  • If a built-in accessibility checker is available in the application you are using to create your file, use it to identify and correct accessibility issues
  • Ensure that users can operate any interactive elements by keyboard alone (e.g., selecting a response option on a survey)
  • Reduce cognitive overload by 'chunking’ information into sections, with appropriate headings
  • When creating bulleted lists and numbered lists, use your application’s built-in tools to create these lists
  • Allow users to control functionality of multimedia wherever possible (e.g., ability to turn on/off closed captions; start, stop, adjust the speed; pause a video)

External Accessibility Resources

Ontario Government

Council of Ontario Universities

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0

Other Postsecondary Resources