Checklists Course accessibility checklists

The checklists on this page are based on the information found throughout this course. If you have questions about any of the guidelines, see the corresponding module and/or page in the course. For more information on how to use the checklists as you review, see the Check your course for accessibility page.

You can download and/or print the following checklists to use in your accessibility reviews. Interactive versions of these checklists are available below.

Checkable Checklists

Click each tab below to access interactive versions of the checklists. Your responses will not be saved or recorded anywhere. When this page is closed and reopened, or refreshed, the checklists will be empty again. This may be useful if you have several documents to check. Use the checklist as you check a document. Then refresh the page and check another document.

Word document checklist

If an item has WAC after it, that means the Word Accessibility Checker can help with it.

File name

Use descriptive file name: The file name across the top of the app describes the topic or purpose.

Headings

Format as headings: Use headings to structure your page.
Use logical order: Check that headings are used in the correct order (H1, H2, H3, etc.).
Avoid skipping levels: For example, avoid jumping from H1 to H3 without an H2 in between.
Be descriptive: Ensure headings introduce content and orient readers.

Images

Provide alt text: All images need alt text or to be marked as decorative. (WAC)
Check color contrast: If color conveys meaning, color contrast is at least 3:1 for adjacent colors.
Avoid images of text: If images of text are used, replace those images with text instead.

Lists

Format as list: Format lists using list formatting options, not just dashes or numbers at the beginning of paragraphs.

Tables

Use tables for data, not layout: Use tables for data, not for aesthetics or layout.
Format as tables: Use table formatting options, not spaces and tabs.
Use headers: Mark headers using the Table Design tab. (WAC)
Use titles: Add a Table Title using Table Properties. Add a visual caption for visual learners if desired.

Videos

Add captions: Videos need captions (not auto-generated).
Provide audio descriptions: Videos need audio descriptions, but because of prohibitive costs, request these from the ADS when an accommodation is requested.
Check for flashes: Check all of your videos for quick flashes. Add notes when needed.

Reading order

Check for logical reading order: Ensure a logical reading order for images in Word documents. The image will be read where the anchor is placed.

Color contrast

Check text color contrast: Text must have a minimum color contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for regular text and 3:1 for large text (18pt or larger). (WAC)
Check image color contrast: If color conveys meaning, adjoining colors must have a minimum color contrast ratio of 3:1.

Equations

Use equation editors: Use equation editors if at all possible.
Avoid images of equations: Avoid images of equations if at all possible. If an image is absolutely necessary, include alt text.

GIFs

Pause, stop, hide: Word automatically adds a pause button. No need to check for this.
Provide alt text: All GIFs need alt text or to be marked as decorative. (WAC)
Check for flashes: Check for quick flashes (when in doubt, throw it out).

Audio

Provide transcripts: Audio-only content needs an easily accessible transcript.

Text Formatting

Use semantic markup: Use strong, emphasize, superscript, and subscript tags and buttons appropriately when writing text.
Use readable fonts: No specific fonts are required, but make sure the text is readable.
Avoid all caps: All caps is not forbidden but should be used wisely.
Reserve underlined text for links: Underlined text is not forbidden but should be used wisely.

Visual communication

Provide alternative text: Add alternative text for visual elements.
Add clarifying directions: When position is referenced, add clarifying directions, such as a heading reference.

Screen size

Ensure text reflow: Check your content on various screen sizes.

Text size, text spacing, and overcrowding

Check text resizing: Ensure that text can be resized up to twice as large as normal.
Check text spacing: Ensure that if the space between lines of text is changed, the content is still readable.

Languages

Set the language: Ensure the language being used is properly marked for assistive technology.

PowerPoint presentation checklist

If an item has PAC after it, that means the PowerPoint Accessibility Checker can help with it.

File name

Use descriptive file name: The file name across the top of the app describes the topic or purpose.

Headings

Format as headings: Use slide titles to structure the presentation. Every slide title should be unique. Split textboxes when changing subjects. (PAC)
Be descriptive: Ensure headings introduce content and orient readers.

Images

Provide alt text: All images need alt text or to be marked as decorative (SmartArt included). (PAC)
Check color contrast: If color conveys meaning, color contrast is at least 3:1 for adjacent colors.
Avoid images of text: If images of text are used, replace those images with text instead.

Lists

Format as list: Format lists using list formatting options, not just dashes or numbers at the beginning of paragraphs.

Tables

Use tables for data, not layout: Use tables for data, not for aesthetics or layout.
Format as tables: Use table formatting options, not spaces and tabs.
Use headers: Mark headers using the Table Design tab. (PAC)
Use titles: It is not possible to add captions or titles in PowerPoint. Try to have only one table on each slide.

Videos

Add captions: Videos need captions (not auto-generated).
Provide audio descriptions: Videos need audio descriptions, but because of prohibitive costs, request these from the ADS when an accommodation is requested.
Check for flashes: Check all of your videos for quick flashes. Add notes when needed.

Reading order

Check for logical reading order: Ensure a logical reading order. On a PC it is top to bottom. On a Mac it is bottom to top. (PAC)

Color contrast

Check text color contrast: Text must have a minimum color contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for regular text and 3:1 for large text (18pt or larger). (PAC)
Check image color contrast: If color conveys meaning, adjoining colors must have a minimum color contrast ratio of 3:1.

Equations

Avoid PowerPoints: Avoid using equations in PowerPoints in digital files for learners.

GIFs

Pause, stop, hide: PowerPoint automatically adds a pause button. No need to check for this.
Provide alt text: All GIFs need alt text or to be marked as decorative. (PAC)
Check for flashes: Check for quick flashes (when in doubt, throw it out).

Audio

Provide transcripts: Audio-only content needs an easily accessible transcript. Consider using the Notes section.

Text Formatting

Use semantic markup: Use superscript and subscript buttons appropriately when writing text. Strong and emphasis are not available.
Use readable fonts: No specific fonts are required, but make sure the text is readable.
Avoid all caps: All caps is not forbidden but should be used wisely.
Reserve underlined text for links: Underlined text is not forbidden but should be used wisely.

Visual communication

Provide alternative text: Add alternative text for visual elements.
Add clarifying directions: When position is referenced, add clarifying directions, such as a heading reference.

Screen size

PowerPoint formats content the same on all screen sizes. No need to check this one.

Text size, text spacing, and overcrowding

Avoid overcrowding: Ensure that your content is not so crowded that it becomes difficult to understand the flow when magnified.

Languages

Set the language: Change the language for parts of a slide.

PDF checklist

If an item has PDAC after it, that means the PDF Accessibility Checker can help with it.

File name

Use descriptive file name: The document has a title. Also, the name displayed across the top of the tab describes the topic or purpose of the document. (PDAC)

Headings

Format as headings: Tag headings to structure the document.
Use logical order: Check that headings are used in the correct order (H1, H2, H3, etc.). (PDAC)
Avoid skipping levels: For example, avoid jumping from H1 to H3 without an H2 in between.

Images

Provide alt text: All images need alt text or to be marked as decorative. (PDAC)
Check color contrast: If color conveys meaning, color contrast is at least 3:1 for adjacent colors. If the color contrast does not meet standards, contact the ADS.

Lists

Format as list: Lists are tagged as lists. If they are not, contact the ADS for assistance. (PDAC)

Tables

Check tags, headers, and caption: If a table is not tagged correctly or is missing headers or captions, contact the ADS for assistance. (PDAC)

Videos

Add captions: Videos need captions (not auto-generated).
Provide audio descriptions: Videos need audio descriptions, but because of prohibitive costs, request these from the ADS when an accommodation is requested.
Check for flashes: Check all of your videos for quick flashes. Add notes when needed.

Reading order

Check for logical reading order: Ensure a logical reading order.

Color contrast

Check text color contrast: Text must have a minimum color contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for regular text and 3:1 for large text (18pt or larger). If the color contrast does not meet standards, contact the ADS.
Check image color contrast: If color conveys meaning, adjoining colors must have a minimum color contrast ratio of 3:1. If the color contrast does not meet standards, contact the ADS.

Equations

Avoid PDFs: Avoid using equations in PDFs in digital files for learners.

GIFs

Pause, stop, hide: Learners must be able to pause the GIF, the GIF must stop within 5 seconds, or the GIF must be easily hidden while accessing all other content.
Provide alt text: All GIFs need alt text or to be marked as decorative. (PDAC)
Check for flashes: Check for quick flashes (when in doubt, throw it out).

Audio

Provide transcripts: Audio-only content needs an easily accessible transcript.

Text Formatting

If there are text formatting issues in your PDF, contact the ADS for assistance.

Visual communication

Provide alternative text: Add alternative text for visual elements.
Add clarifying directions: When position is referenced, add clarifying directions, such as a heading reference.

Screen size

PDF formats content the same on all screen sizes. No need to check this one.

Text size, text spacing, and overcrowding

Avoid overcrowding: Ensure that your content is not so crowded that it becomes difficult to understand the flow when magnified.

Languages

Set the language: Set the correct language for the document.

Canvas page checklist

If an item has CAC after it, that means the PowerPoint Accessibility Checker can help with it.

File name

Use descriptive file names: The page title displayed in the browser tab describes the topic or purpose of the page.

Headings

Format as headings: Use headings to structure your page.
Use logical order: Check that headings are used in the correct order (H1, H2, H3, etc.). (CAC)
Avoid skipping levels: For example, avoid jumping from H1 to H3 without an H2 in between.
Be descriptive: Ensure headings introduce content and orient readers.

Images

Provide alt text: All images need alt text or to be marked as decorative. (CAC)
Check color contrast: If color conveys meaning, color contrast is at least 3:1 for adjacent colors.
Avoid images of text: If images of text are used, replace those images with text instead.

Lists

Format as list: Format lists using list formatting options, not just dashes or numbers at the beginning of paragraphs. (CAC)

Tables

Use tables for data, not layout: Use tables for data, not for aesthetics or layout.
Format as tables: Use table formatting options, not spaces and tabs.
Use headers: Mark headers (include scope). (CAC)
Use caption: Add a caption. (CAC)

Videos

Add captions: Videos need captions (not auto-generated).
Provide audio descriptions: Videos need audio descriptions, but because of prohibitive costs, request these from the ADS when an accommodation is requested.
Check for flashes: Check all of your videos for quick flashes. Add notes when needed.

Color contrast

Check text color contrast: Text must have a minimum color contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for regular text and 3:1 for large text (18pt or larger). (CAC)
Check image color contrast: If color conveys meaning, adjoining colors must have a minimum color contrast ratio of 3:1.

Equations

Use equation editors: Use equation editors if at all possible.
Avoid images of equations: Avoid images of equations if at all possible. If an image is absolutely necessary, include alt text.

GIFs

Pause, stop, hide: The GIF must stop within 5 seconds or the GIF must be easily hidden while accessing all other content.
Provide alt text: All GIFs need alt text or to be marked as decorative. (CAC)
Check for flashes: Check for quick flashes (when in doubt, throw it out).

Audio

Provide transcripts: Audio-only content needs an easily accessible transcript.

Text Formatting

Use semantic markup: Use superscript and subscript buttons appropriately when writing text.
Use readable fonts: No specific fonts are required, but make sure the text is readable.
Avoid all caps: All caps is not forbidden but should be used wisely.
Reserve underlined text for links: Underlined text is not forbidden but should be used wisely.

Visual communication

Provide alternative text: Add alternative text for visual elements.
Add clarifying directions: When position is referenced, add clarifying directions, such as a heading reference.

Screen size

Ensure text reflow: Check your content on various screen sizes.

Text size, text spacing, and overcrowding

There is no need to worry about text size and spacing in Canvas.

Languages

Set the language: Change the language code for parts of a page.

Checkable Checklists

Word document checklist

File name

Headings

Images

Lists

Links

Tables

Videos

Reading order

Color contrast

Equations

GIFs

Audio

Text Formatting

Visual communication

Screen size

Text size, text spacing, and overcrowding

Languages

PowerPoint presentation checklist

File name

Headings

Images

Lists

Links

Tables

Videos

Reading order

Color contrast

Equations

GIFs

Audio

Text Formatting

Visual communication

Screen size

Text size, text spacing, and overcrowding

Languages

PDF checklist

File name

Headings

Images

Lists

Links

Tables

Videos

Reading order

Color contrast

Equations

GIFs

Audio

Text Formatting

Visual communication

Screen size

Text size, text spacing, and overcrowding

Languages

Canvas page checklist

File name

Headings

Images

Lists

Links

Tables

Videos

Color contrast

Equations

GIFs

Audio

Text Formatting

Visual communication

Screen size

Text size, text spacing, and overcrowding

Languages