The simplest way to make documents accessible is to use the source document (i.e. Word format rather than the file converted to PDF).
You should bear accessibility in mind when designing and writing documents from the very beginning. It is a lot easier to fix any issues as you go than at the end.
If you are thinking of making a new document and you need any advice regarding accessibility please contact website@argyll-bute.gov.uk
How to check your document is accessible
Word’s accessibility checker
Word has an accessibility checker built in that checks for things like missing alt text and tables missing their header rows.
If the document will only be published as a word document, the easiest way to check it’s accessibility in M365 is to:
- Go to Review on the top bar – Check Accessibility
- Here you can run the full checker or fix things in the document, like adding alternative text to images
Manual accessibility checks
Not all checks are covered in the accessibility checker as they have to be checked manually, not by the computer.
If the document is going to be converted into a PDF, there is further formatting that needs to be done in Word so that the document will be accessible in both Word and PDF – this will not be highlighted in Word’s accessibility checker.
Use the accessible document guidance and accessibility checklist below to make sure any documents made in Word are fully accessible for digital publication in both Word and PDF formats.
