Creating Accessible Word Documents

Adding Alternative Text in Microsoft Word 2010

Alternative text or alt text provides information to any image, such as a picture, chart, table, etc., in the document. The more complex the information conveyed by the image, the more important it is to accurately describe the information.

1. Right-click the image.
2. In the dialogue box, click Format Picture or in the case of a table Table Properties.
3. Select Alt Text.
4. Fill in the description box. Add a title when you have a complex chart or table thus providing the reader with the option of reading the description or not.
5. Click Close.

Applying Styles [Heading Structure]

1. Select the text you want to make into a heading.
2. On the Home tab, in the Styles group select the desired heading style from the Quick Styles section.
3. You can create your own Style Set by Change Styles.

Check Document for Accessibility Issues

1. Click on the File tab.
2. Select Info.
3. Click on Check for Issues.
4. Select Check Accessibility.
5. Results will appear along with additional information.
6. Click on a specific issue to see more information and the steps to correct it.