Get started making documents, presentations, spreadsheets, emails and course material more accessible with these four tips provided by GRCC’s Teaching, Learning and Distance Education (TLDE) team.
Heading Styles and Structure
What
Use built-in heading styles (H1, H2, H3) to organize content in Word, Google Docs, and Canvas pages.
Why
Screen reader users rely on headings to quickly navigate content, much like a table of contents. Clear structure also benefits all learners by making information easier to scan and understand.
How
Apply headings using Paragraph Styles in Google Docs, the Styles Pane in Word, or the Styles tool in the Canvas Rich Content Editor instead of manually formatting text.
Descriptive Link Titles
What
Links should clearly describe their destination. Avoid using bare URLs or vague phrases like “click here.”
Why
Screen readers read links out of context. A bare URL or “click here” doesn’t provide meaningful information about where the link leads.
How
Use a descriptive title that explains the purpose of the link. For example, “Visit the TLDE website” is more accessible than “To visit the TLDE website, click here.”
Image Alternative Text (Alt Text)
What
Images that convey information should include alt text describing their purpose. Decorative images should be marked as decorative or have empty (null) alt text.
Why
Alt text provides a text-based alternative for learners who cannot see images and appears if an image fails to load.
How
Focus on what the learner needs to understand from the image and describe that information clearly and concisely. If the image does not add meaning, mark it as decorative.
Colors and Contrast
What
WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines require sufficient contrast between text and background colors (at least a 4.5:1 ratio). Color alone should never be used to convey meaning.
Why
Learners with color blindness or low vision may not be able to distinguish low-contrast colors or interpret information communicated only through color.
How
Use the accessibility checker in the Canvas Rich Content Editor or a color contrast checker like this one from WebAIM to test your content. If colors don’t meet contrast requirements, choose more distinct shades. When color is used to emphasize meaning, add another visual cue, such as text labels or bold formatting.