Accessibility is important to serving people with disabilities. Government agencies have to make sure that everyone can access information; and businesses benefit by providing information on their products and services to all segments of the market.
The information in this section provides basic information on creating accessible electronic documents in order to build and maintain open communications with employees, customers, and communities.
Detailed information or training – available through the University of Washington’s Accessible Technology websites:
Creating Accessible Electronic Documents – Guidelines and resources for creating accessible PDFs and Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files.
- Adobe Acrobat PDFs
- Microsoft Excel spreadsheets
- Microsoft PowerPoint presentations
- Microsoft Word documents
- Video and Multimedia files
Accessible Websites – Guidelines and resources for creating accessible websites
Developing Accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) – GSA Section 508 Accessibility Program
Adobe PDF Resources
Learn more information on creating accessible PDF files by visiting the following sites:
- Adobe accessibility – Adobe Corporation accessibility information
- Using the acrobat X Pro Accessibility Checker – Instructions on checking PDF accessibility
- Acrobat and accessibility – WebAIM accessibility techniques article
- Adobe Acrobat training resources – Adobe Corporation guides
- Fixing inaccessible PDFs using Adobe Acrobat Pro – University of Washington Accessible Technology
- Requirements for making accessible Adobe PDF documents (.docx download) – U.S. Department of Education, Accessibility Enhancement Initiative tutorial
Microsoft Excel Resources
Learn more information on creating accessible Microsoft Excel spreadsheets by visiting the following sites:
- Creating accessible Excel workbooks – Microsoft Corporation guide
- Check for Accessibility issues – Guide to using the Microsoft Accessibility Checker
- Requirements for making accessible Excel workbooks – U.S. Department of Education, Accessibility Enhancement Initiative tutorial
- Guidelines to Develop Accessible Microsoft Excel Documents – GSA guidelines
Microsoft PowerPoint Resources
Learn more information on creating accessible Microsoft PowerPoint presentations by visiting the following sites:
- Creating Accessible PowerPoint presentations – Microsoft Corporation accessibility guide
- Check for Accessibility issues – Guide to using the Microsoft Accessibility Checker
- Requirements for Making Accessible PowerPoint Documents (.docx download) – U.S. Department of Education, Accessibility Enhancement Initiative tutorial
Microsoft Word Resources
Learn more information on creating accessible Microsoft Word documents by visiting the following sites:
- Creating Accessible Word Documents – Microsoft Corporation guide
- Check for Accessibility issues – Guide to using the Microsoft Accessibility Checker
- Requirements for Making Accessible Word Documents – U.S. Department of Education, Accessibility Enhancement Initiative tutorial
Audio and Multimedia Resources
Learn more information on creating accessible audio and video files by visiting the following sites:
- Making Multimedia Section 508 Compliant and Accessible – DigitalGov overview
- How to Caption Videos – DigitalGov tutorial
- How to Make Audio Descriptions – DigitalGov tutorial
- Creating Accessible Flash – US Department of Veterans Affairs tutorials
- Yes, you can make YouTube video accessible…here’s how – Design Edge Canada tutorial
- Creating Accessible Videos – University of Washington Accessible Technology
- Captions, Transcripts, and Audio Descriptions – WebAim article
Website Accessibility Resources
Accessible website development can be very complex. The checklists below provide the characteristics of an accessible site. You may need with a web developer, or other person with the technical knowledge, to implement these items on your website.
General Tips/Checklists
Accessibility Standards and Guidelines
- Improving Website Accessibility – Section 508.gov guidelines
- W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 – guidelines from the World Wide Web Consortium
Resources and Guides
- Adobe Dreamweaver Accessibility
- Drupal Accessibility
- High Tech Center Training Unit
- University of Washington
- Web Accessibility Tutorials and Presentations – W3C Web Accessibility Initiative
- WebAIM
- WordPress Accessibility
Accessibility Service Providers
- Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech)
- Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP)
- Perkins School for the Blind
Webinars/Podcasts
Many organizations provide webinars and conference calls discussing accessible documents and websites. Visit these organizations to find out more about their offerings.