Microsoft Word has features that close the accessibility gap without a lot of extra work. Using the built-in features in Word for headings, bullets, and lists will help you create accessible documents. The next time you format a document, instead of merely increasing the font size or adding boldface or colored text to visually indicate headings, use the built-in features in Word for headings, bullets, and lists to create accessible documents in a more structured way. 

 To use structured headings for your content:

• Type your heading.
• Highlight the text with your cursor.
• On the Home tab in the Styles group, click on Heading 1. The font style, color, and size of your highlighted text will become the preset style for Heading 1.

To change the preset style, right-click on Heading 1 and select Modify. Change the properties to a new style, for example, Garamond, font size 14, blue. This will become the new preset for Heading 1. Use Heading 1 for all your top-level headings.

Do the same for subheadings: choose the font size, formatting, color, and style you want; highlight the text; go to styles; and choose Heading 2. Modify if needed. This selection will become the preset for Heading 2. Use Heading 2 for all subheadings at that level.

If you need more subheadings, continue to create and use Heading 3 and so on. This structures the document for visually impaired students who use screen readers, and it keeps your personal style alive and well.

The same is true with bulleted and numbered lists. Using the icons in the menu to create bullets and lists, click on the adjacent drop-down arrow to modify the style of each. Sighted students will see your style, while visually impaired students will be able to follow with their screen readers.

Please look for scheduled workshops in the Workshop Registration System. You may request training for yourself or your group through the IT self-service portal.

Microsoft Word has features that close the accessibility gap without a lot of extra work. Using the built-in features in Word for headings, bullets, and lists will help you create accessible documents. The next time you format a document, instead of merely increasing the font size or adding boldface or colored text to visually indicate headings, use the built-in features in Word for headings, bullets, and lists to create accessible documents in a more structured way. 

 To use structured headings for your content:

• Type your heading.
• Highlight the text with your cursor.
• On the Home tab in the Styles group, click on Heading 1. The font style, color, and size of your highlighted text will become the preset style for Heading 1.

To change the preset style, right-click on Heading 1 and select Modify. Change the properties to a new style, for example, Garamond, font size 14, blue. This will become the new preset for Heading 1. Use Heading 1 for all your top-level headings.

Do the same for subheadings: choose the font size, formatting, color, and style you want; highlight the text; go to styles; and choose Heading 2. Modify if needed. This selection will become the preset for Heading 2. Use Heading 2 for all subheadings at that level.

If you need more subheadings, continue to create and use Heading 3 and so on. This structures the document for visually impaired students who use screen readers, and it keeps your personal style alive and well.

The same is true with bulleted and numbered lists. Using the icons in the menu to create bullets and lists, click on the adjacent drop-down arrow to modify the style of each. Sighted students will see your style, while visually impaired students will be able to follow with their screen readers.

Please look for scheduled workshops in the Workshop Registration System. You may request training for yourself or your group through the IT self-service portal.

Microsoft Word has features that close the accessibility gap without a lot of extra work. The next time you format a document, instead of merely increasing the font size or adding boldface or colored text to visually indicate headings, use the built-in features in Word for headings, bullets, and lists to create accessible documents in a more structured way. 
 
To use structured headings for your content:

• Type your heading.
• Highlight the text with your cursor.
• On the Home tab in the Styles group, click on Heading 1. The font style, color, and size of your highlighted text will become the preset style for Heading 1.

To change the preset style, right-click on Heading 1 and select Modify. Change the properties to a new style, for example, Garamond, font size 14, blue. This will become the new preset for Heading 1. Use Heading 1 for all your top-level headings.

Do the same for subheadings: choose the font size, formatting, color, and style you want; highlight the text; go to styles; and choose Heading 2. Modify if needed. This selection will become the preset for Heading 2. Use Heading 2 for all subheadings at that level.

If you need more subheadings, continue to create and use Heading 3 and so on. This structures the document for visually impaired students who use screen readers, and it keeps your personal style alive and well.

The same is true with bulleted and numbered lists. Using the icons in the menu to create bullets and lists, click on the adjacent drop-down arrow to modify the style of each. Sighted students will see your style, while visually impaired students will be able to follow with their screen readers.

You may request training from Instructional Design and Training (IDT).

You may also link to the Knowledge Base article "Accessibility: Headings, Bullets, and Lists."

Are you creating or updating a PowerPoint presentation? Make sure your presentations are accessible. Below are some helpful tips to get you started:

• Add alternative text (descriptions) to your images using a few simple steps.
• Verify reading order within each slide.
• Use pre-defined layouts to make slides accessible.
• Create and use headings just as you would in Microsoft Word.
• Create and use bullets and numbers just as you would in Microsoft Word.
• Create and use audio and video just as you would in other applications.
• Use the Check Accessibility feature to be sure that your PowerPoint is compliant.

How to tag files in Windows 10

How to tag files in OSX

Please look for scheduled workshops in the Workshop Registration System. You may request training for yourself or your group through the IT self-service portal, or use the Knowledge Base article Accessibility: Creating PowerPoint Presentations.

Are you creating or updating a PowerPoint presentation? Make sure your presentations are accessible. Below are some helpful tips to get you started:

• Add alternative text (descriptions) to your images using a few simple steps.
• Verify reading order within each slide.
• Use pre-defined layouts to make slides accessible.
• Create and use headings just as you would in Microsoft Word.
• Create and use bullets and numbers just as you would in Microsoft Word.
• Create and use audio and video just as you would in other applications.
• Use the Check Accessibility feature to be sure that your PowerPoint is compliant.

Please look for scheduled workshops in the Workshop Registration System. You may request training for yourself or your group through the IT self-service portal, or use the Knowledge Base article Accessibility: Creating PowerPoint Presentations.

We'll still publish the Accessibility Tips in the Daily Bulletin; however, for your convenience, links to each accessibility-themed article in the Knowledge Base are provided below.

Knowledge Base tip: To reach the Knowledge Base, go to the Information Technology Services website and click on the yellow rectangle on the right that asks "Need Help?" Then click "Sign In" in the upper right corner of the new page. Go to the search box at the top of the page and type in your question or a search term like "Accessibility.".

?Accessibility: Why Does Accessibility Matter?

Accessibility:  Audio and Video                                             

Accessibility: Plan Ahead for Creating Content

Accessibility: Blackboard Ally

Accessibility: Accessibility Checker in Microsoft

Accessibility: What Is a VPAT?

Accessibility: Hyperlinks

Accessibility: Creating PowerPoint Presentations

Accessibility: Headings, Bullets, and Lists

Accessibility: Using MS Office to Create Your Final Exam 

When purchasing software (regardless of the funding source), please remember to follow the Buffalo State Information Technology Purchases/Acquisitions Policy (PDF, 126 KB).

We'll still publish the Accessibility Tips in the Daily Bulletin; however, for your convenience, links to each accessibility-themed article in the Knowledge Base are provided below.

Knowledge Base tip: To reach the Knowledge Base, go to the Information Technology Services website and click on the yellow rectangle on the right that asks "Need Help?" Then click "Sign In" in the upper right corner of the new page. Go to the search box at the top of the page and type in your question or a search term like "Accessibility."

?Accessibility: Why Does Accessibility Matter?

Accessibility:  Audio and Video                                             

Accessibility: Plan Ahead for Creating Content

Accessibility: Blackboard Ally

Accessibility: Accessibility Checker in Microsoft

Accessibility: What Is a VPAT?

Accessibility: Hyperlinks

Accessibility: Creating PowerPoint Presentations

Accessibility: Headings, Bullets, and Lists

Accessibility: Using MS Office to Create Your Final Exam 

When purchasing software (regardless of the funding source), please remember to follow the Buffalo State Information Technology Purchases/Acquisitions Policy (PDF, 126 KB).

We'll still publish the Accessibility Tips in the Daily Bulletin; however, for your convenience, links to each accessibility-themed article in the Knowledge Base are provided below.

Knowledge Base tip: To reach the Knowledge Base, go to it.buffalostate.edu and click on the yellow rectangle on the right that asks "Need Help?" Then click "Sign In" in the upper right corner of the new page. Go to the search box at the top of the page and type in your question or a search term like "Accessibility."

?Accessibility: Why Does Accessibility Matter?

Accessibility:  Audio and Video                                             

Accessibility: Plan Ahead for Creating Content

Accessibility: Blackboard Ally

Accessibility: Accessibility Checker in Microsoft

Accessibility: What Is a VPAT?

Accessibility: Hyperlinks

Accessibility: Creating PowerPoint Presentations

Accessibility: Headings, Bullets, and Lists

Accessibility: Using MS Office to Create Your Final Exam 

When purchasing software (regardless of the funding source), please remember to follow the Buffalo State Information Technology Purchases/Acquisitions Policy (PDF, 126 KB).

?We'll still publish the Accessibility Tips in the Daily Bulletin; however, for your convenience, links to each accessibility-themed article in the Knowledge Base are provided below.

Knowledge Base tip: To reach the Knowledge Base, go to it.buffalostate.edu and click on the yellow rectangle on the right that asks "Need Help?" Then click "Sign In" in the upper right corner of the new page. Go to the search box at the top of the page and type in your question or a search term like "Accessibility."

Accessibility Tip: Why Does Accessibility Matter?

Accessibility Tip:  Audio and Video                                             

Accessibility Tip: Plan Ahead for Creating Content

Accessibility Tip: Blackboard Ally

Accessibility Tip: Accessibility Checker in Microsoft

Accessibility Tip: What Is a VPAT?

Accessibility Tip: Hyperlinks

Accessibility Tip: Creating PowerPoint Presentations

Accessibility Tip: Headings, Bullets, and Lists

Accessibility Tip: Using MS Office to Create Your Final Exam 

When purchasing software (regardless of the funding source), please remember to follow the Buffalo State Information Technology Purchases/Acquisitions Policy (PDF, 126 KB).

?We will still publish the Accessibility Tips in the Daily Bulletin; however, for your convenience, links to each accessibility-themed article in the Knowledge Base are provided below.

Knowledge Base tip: To reach the Knowledge Base, go to it.buffalostate.edu and click on the yellow rectangle on the right that asks "Need Help?" Then click "Sign In" in the upper right corner of the new page. Go to the search box at the top of the page and type in your question or a search term like "Accessibility."

Why Does Accessibility Matter?

Accessibility: Audio and Video                     

Accessibility: Plan Ahead for Creating Content

Accessibility: Blackboard Ally

Accessibility: Accessibility Checker in Microsoft

Accessibility: What Is a VPAT?

Accessibility: Hyperlinks

Accessibility: Creating PowerPoint Presentations

Accessibility: Headings, Bullets, and Lists

Accessibility: Using MS Office to Create Your Final Exam

When purchasing software with campus funds or grant funds, please remember to follow the Buffalo State Information Technology Purchases/Acquisitions Policy (PDF, 126 KB).