Powerpoint presentations can allow instructors to meaningfully curate and organize content, and Powerpoint features a number of tools that can make that content accessible to all students. Making use of the following features and processes can result in slide decks that are easy for everyone to access and navigate.
Major Points To Keep In Mind
- Use built in slide templates
- Use simple style layouts and transitions
- Select simple san serif fonts (e.g. Arial, Verdana, Calibri, Helvetica) to increase readability and default to 18 pt or larger font
- Avoid slides that are too “text-heavy”
- Use the list and bullet features to organize content
- Add alternative text to images, graphs, and figures
- Add column header rows in tables and avoid blank characters
- Ensure hyperlinked text is descriptive
- Provide transcripts or captions for any embedded audio and video content
- Use the built in accessibility checker
Other Points To Keep In Mind
- Ensure reading order is correct
- Ensure sufficient color contrast between content and background
- Avoid using color as the only way to convey meaning. Check for this by asking if the graphic would make sense in black and white.
- Avoid using watermarks and automatic transitions