Use Microsoft's Accessibility Checkers

Owned by Jen Moore
Last updated: Feb 24, 2022
2 min read

Microsoft has made great strides towards accessibility. They include accessibility checkers in many of their programs. The steps for most programs are included in this how-to.

Step-by-step guide

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not perfect

Please keep in mind that all in-program accessibility checkers are run by artificial intelligence. This means they are not perfect and will require human intervention, but these checkers are great tools in a journey towards greater accessibility.

  1. Navigate to the Review menu or tab.

    Word Review Menu shown
    Word Review Menu

  2. Select Check Accessibility.

    Check Accessibility indicated on Review Menu
    Check Accessibility indicated on Review Menu

  3. Click through issues to resolve them in the Accessibility Pane which will also include steps to fix the issues and reasons to fix the issues.



  4. Stumped? Go to Microsoft's instructions for finer detail, Google your question effectively and efficiently, or ask the accessibility team!



Microsoft's Accessibility Checker on all Microsoft Programs

This will work in all updated Microsoft programs. See Microsoft's Accessibility Checker website for more information.



Ways you can contact ITS or find information:

ITS Support Portal: https://support.swarthmore.edu
Email: support@swarthmore.edu
Phone: x4357 (HELP) or 610-328-8513
Check out our remote resources at https://swatkb.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/remote/overview
Check our homepage at https://swarthmore.edu/its