Content or Document Accessibility refers to documents saved in common file formats, posted to websites or distributed through email, and the need to provide them in an accessible format. Documents designed using accessibility standards and guidelines are beneficial for all users. Accessibility considerations include: document structure, navigation, alternative text descriptions, logical reading order and adequate labels.
Digital content accessibility guidelines are very similar to the guidelines and standards for ensuring web content is accessible, however, the techniques to achieve accessibility will vary depending on the format of the document.
The most common file formats posted on websites and used for sharing and disseminating information are:
Microsoft Word .docx
Adobe .pdf
Mircosoft PowerPoint .pptx
Microsoft Excel .xls
Principles and Guidelines
Ensure that document files posted on websites contain text and are not scanned images. (Copying a document on a photocopier to create a pdf attachment creates a scanned image.)
MS Word Documents - Provide document structure by using appropriate headings (<h1>, <h2>, <h3>). Use Word Styles to format headings. Screen readers rely on document structure for navigation.
Create accessible PDF documents from accessible word documents.
Add tags to PDF files to create document structure.
Add bookmarks to PDF files for easier navigation.
Provide logical reading order.
Add appropriate alternative text descriptions to all meaningful images.
Add appropriate alternative text descriptions to charts and graphs.
Consider adding long description alt text to complex images.
