Using the Accessibility Checker

The Accessibility Checker will alert us to any possible accessibility issues we may have missed while creating our presentation.

NOTE for MacOS Users: The Accessibility Checker does not exist in PowerPoint 2016 for Mac.

Step 1. To move to the Backstage area, on the Ribbon,

Click the File tab

Step 2. To find the Accessibility Checker,

Click

We see a drop-down menu that includes options for inspecting the document for hidden text and personal information and for checking compatibility with other versions of PowerPoint as well as checking for accessibility issues.

Step 3. To open the Accessibility Checker,

Click

The Accessibility Checker pane opens and shows us the results of the inspection.

There are three possible types of issues:

We may see an error about missing alt text, as well as tips for checking the reading order and ensuring caption usage. There is also additional information available in the Accessibility Checker pane.

NOTE: During this workshop we have seen how to add alternative text to a graphic and how to check the reading order of a slide. Adding captions to a video is beyond the scope of our materials today. However, IT Training has a recorded webinar you can access to learn how to create captions with YouTube.

When all of the errors have been fixed and tips have been checked, we can close the Accessibility Checker pane.

Step 4. To close the Accessibility Checker pane,

Click

NOTE: For more information about accessibility and how to make documents accessible, visit the Indiana University Assistive Technology & Accessibility Centers web site.