What is an Accessibility Checker?
These automated tools are built into many commonly-used programs, including the Microsoft Office suite and learning management systems like Canvas. Accessibility checkers find problems that could create barriers for people with disabilities, like a lack of alt-text on an image or problems with color contrast or reading order in a PowerPoint. They also provide step-by-step instructions for fixing errors.
These checkers are very helpful but, like any automated tool, can’t detect all accessibility problems!
What should I do?
Accessibility Checkers are simple to use. Make them part of your standard workflow. Click the checker after you’ve finished creating material, and it will generate a list of any errors. Or leave the checker activated while you create content and the checker will catch errors as you go. The guides below explain how to use accessibility checkers in common programs:
- Microsoft Office documents:
- Other guides:
Be aware!
There are some errors that accessibility checkers cannot detect:
- Headings & lists: Accessibility checkers cannot tell if headings and lists are needed or if they’re being used correctly. Check this manually.
- Named links: Hyperlinks should be given meaningful names, which is a subjective determination that the content creator needs to check.
- Alt-text quality: Checkers can tell if alt-text is present but not if it conveys the important information about the image.
- Color contrast: Accessiblity checkers may not consistency review color contrast for all elements of your documents. This is especially true when images or gradients are used as backgrounds.
- Video captions: Make sure your videos have accurate captions.