Jump to content

"Fast Five" Essentials to Preparing Materials: Difference between revisions

From Swarthmore Knowledge Base
← Older editNewer edit →
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Line 5: Line 5:
''Select the link to be taken directly to that section of the article.''
''Select the link to be taken directly to that section of the article.''


__TOC__  
__TOC__


<span id="in-program-styles"></span>
== In-program Styles ==
== In-program Styles ==


Using appropriate headings in the appropriate order in your current program is necessary. They add structure and create consistency in documents and allow screen readers to easily—audibly—scan the information. Additionally, authors can easily create such things as a [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-table-of-contents-882e8564-0edb-435e-84b5-1d8552ccf0c0 Table of Contents] or [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-the-navigation-pane-in-word-394787be-bca7-459b-894e-3f8511515e55 view an Outline].
Using appropriate headings in the appropriate order in your current program is necessary. They add structure and create consistency in documents and allow screen readers to easily—audibly—scan the information. Additionally, authors can easily create such things as a [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-table-of-contents-882e8564-0edb-435e-84b5-1d8552ccf0c0 Table of Contents] or [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-the-navigation-pane-in-word-394787be-bca7-459b-894e-3f8511515e55 view an Outline].


<div class="ac-multiexcerpt-macro">
{{Warning
|body = '''Title or Subtitle'''
It is an '''''extremely''''' rare instance that you will use the style "Title" or "Subtitle" found in the Styles Gallery, Pane, or Pulldown. If you have questions, please reach out to [mailto:accessibility@swarthmore.edu accessibility@swarthmore.edu].
}}


<!-- &lt;ac:structured-macro ac:name=&quot;multiexcerpt-macro&quot; ac:schema-version=&quot;1&quot; data-layout=&quot;default&quot; ac:local-id=&quot;e1e3c71c-9c06-446c-a26e-7e3dcd1b2eaa&quot; ac:macro-id=&quot;41f2c5ad-a8d1-4609-956e-96617b9522f7&quot;&gt; &lt;ac:parameter ac:name=&quot;hidden&quot;&gt;false&lt;/ac:parameter&gt; &lt;ac:parameter ac:name=&quot;name&quot;&gt;Title or subtitle&lt;/ac:parameter&gt; &lt;ac:parameter ac:name=&quot;fallback&quot;&gt;false&lt;/ac:parameter&gt; &lt;ac:rich-text-body&gt;{{Warning
|body =
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Title or Subtitle&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It is an &lt;em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;extremely &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/em&gt;rare instance that you will use the style &quot;Title&quot; or &quot;Subtitle&quot; found in the Styles Gallery, Pane, or Pulldown. If you have questions, please reach out to &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:accessibility@swarthmore.edu&quot;&gt;accessibility@swarthmore.edu&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;}}
&lt;/ac:rich-text-body&gt; &lt;/ac:structured-macro&gt; -->[[Category:Broken_macro/multiexcerpt-macro]]
</div>
{{ExpandStart
{{ExpandStart
|title = Use in-program styles to create structure
|title = Use in-program styles to create structure
|breakoutWidth = 1800
|page = [[Creating PDFs]]
|macro_uuid = b4fbab0d-ed77-403a-ad6f-8d02a9122251
|name = Exporting Google to PDF is not accessible
|templateData = eJyLjgUAARUAuQ==
|page = [[Confluence----1---Creating_PDFs|Confluence----1---Creating PDFs]][[Category:Broken_page_link]]
|addpanel = false
|addpanel = false
}}
}}


<span id="apple"></span>
=== Apple ===
=== Apple ===


Line 39: Line 29:
* [https://support.apple.com/guide/pages/intro-to-paragraph-styles-tanaa39b0aa3/mac Intro to paragraph styles in Pages | Mac help].
* [https://support.apple.com/guide/pages/intro-to-paragraph-styles-tanaa39b0aa3/mac Intro to paragraph styles in Pages | Mac help].


<span id="google"></span>
=== Google ===
=== Google ===


* [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/116338?hl=en-GB&ref_topic=1361461 Docs]
* [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/116338?hl=en&ref_topic=1361461 Docs]
** Our KB article: [[ALLY:Google_Docs_Changing_The_Look_of_Headings_and_Paragraphs|Google Docs: Changing The Look of Headings and Paragraphs]]
** Our KB article: [[ALLY:Google_Docs_Changing_The_Look_of_Headings_and_Paragraphs|Google Docs: Changing The Look of Headings and Paragraphs]]
** Google's Support page: [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/116338?hl=en&ref_topic=1361461 Add a title, heading, or table of contents to a document]
** Google's Support page: [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/116338?hl=en&ref_topic=1361461 Add a title, heading, or table of contents to a document]


<div class="ac-multiexcerpt-include-macro">
<!-- &lt;ac:structured-macro ac:name=&quot;multiexcerpt-include-macro&quot; ac:schema-version=&quot;1&quot; ac:local-id=&quot;feff22fe-90ff-4960-b096-b2c9cd3fa581&quot; ac:macro-id=&quot;457f9ba5-b149-45e9-9334-9381959a1540&quot;&gt; &lt;ac:parameter ac:name=&quot;macro_uuid&quot;&gt;b4fbab0d-ed77-403a-ad6f-8d02a9122251&lt;/ac:parameter&gt; &lt;ac:parameter ac:name=&quot;name&quot;&gt;Exporting Google to PDF is not accessible&lt;/ac:parameter&gt; &lt;ac:parameter ac:name=&quot;templateData&quot;&gt;eJyLjgUAARUAuQ==&lt;/ac:parameter&gt; &lt;ac:parameter ac:name=&quot;page&quot;&gt;[[Confluence----1---Creating_PDFs|Confluence----1---Creating PDFs]][[Category:Broken_page_link]]&lt;/ac:parameter&gt; &lt;ac:parameter ac:name=&quot;addpanel&quot;&gt;false&lt;/ac:parameter&gt; &lt;/ac:structured-macro&gt; -->[[Category:Broken_macro/multiexcerpt-include-macro]]
</div>
* [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/46973?hl=en&ref_topic=1361470 Sheets]
* [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/46973?hl=en&ref_topic=1361470 Sheets]
* [https://support.google.com/sites/answer/7529116?hl=en&ref_topic=7184581&sjid=13385373985229223832-NA Sites]
* [https://support.google.com/sites/answer/7529116?hl=en&ref_topic=7184581&sjid=13385373985229223832-NA Sites]
* [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/1705254?hl=en&ref_topic=19434 Slides]
* [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/1705254?hl=en&ref_topic=19434 Slides]


<span id="html"></span>
=== HTML ===
=== HTML ===


In '''HTML''', titles should exist within the <code>&lt;title&gt;</code> tag. There should only be one, and it should also be somehow related—and maybe even exactly the same—as the <code>&lt;h1&gt;</code>. Use headings to establish structure.
In '''HTML''', titles should exist within the <code><title></code> tag. There should only be one, and it should also be somehow related—and maybe even exactly the same—as the <code><h1></h1></code>. Use headings to establish structure.


https://swatkb.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/SW/pages/edit-v2/20775084
<span id="latex"></span>
=== LaTeX ===
=== LaTeX ===


Line 69: Line 49:
Styles that are important to structure in a LaTeX file are:
Styles that are important to structure in a LaTeX file are:


* Insert sections in document body:<code> \section{_}</code>, <code>\subsection{_}</code>, etc.
* Insert sections in document body: <code>\section{_}</code>, <code>\subsection{_}</code>, etc.
* Numbered lists in use: <code>\enumerate{_} \item \item ... \end{enumerate}</code>
* Numbered lists in use: <code>\begin{enumerate} \item ... \end{enumerate}</code>
* Bulleted list use:<code> \itemize{_} \item \item ... \end{itemize}</code>
* Bulleted list use: <code>\begin{itemize} \item ... \end{itemize}</code>


See also:
See also:
* [https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/isintern/2023/08/15/lewis-forbes-latex-and-accessibility/ Lewis Forbes – LaTeX and Accessibility | University of Edinburgh student intern blog]
* [https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/isintern/2023/08/15/lewis-forbes-latex-and-accessibility/ Lewis Forbes – LaTeX and Accessibility | University of Edinburgh student intern blog]
* [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.danwjoyce.com/data-blog/2018/2/20/latex-to-html-via-pandoc&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1713881518206800&usg=AOvVaw3YyfyXv14fDNBY0tO5Umux LaTeX to HTML via PANDOC | Dan W. Joyce]
* [https://www.danwjoyce.com/data-blog/2018/2/20/latex-to-html-via-pandoc LaTeX to HTML via PANDOC | Dan W. Joyce]


<span id="markdown"></span>
=== Markdown ===
=== Markdown ===


In '''Markdown''', your title exists after a singular hashtag, <code># Title</code>. Hashtags give markdown structure. The relationship between Markdown and HTML shows us that <code>&lt;h1&gt;</code> and <code>&lt;title&gt;</code> are often the similar or the same.
In '''Markdown''', your title exists after a singular hashtag, <code># Title</code>. Hashtags give markdown structure. The relationship between Markdown and HTML shows us that <code><h1></h1></code> and <code><title></code> are often similar or the same.


* [https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2021/09/improving-accessibility-of-markdown/ Improving the accessibility of your markdown | Smashing Magazine]
* [https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2021/09/improving-accessibility-of-markdown/ Improving the accessibility of your markdown | Smashing Magazine]
Line 87: Line 65:


{{Note
{{Note
|body =  
|body = '''HTML, LaTeX, and Markdown to PDF'''
 
It is not accessible to move .tex, .md, and .html files to PDF. If you give folks the source document, they can render or convert it to whatever preferred file extension they'd like to read from.
 
'''HTML, LaTeX, and Markdown to PDF'''
 
It is not accessible to move .tex, .mdz, and .html files to PDF. If you give folks the source document, they can render or convert it to whatever preferred file extension they'd like to read from.
 
}}
}}


<span id="microsoft"></span>
=== Microsoft ===
=== Microsoft ===


Line 107: Line 78:
** Our KB article: [[ALLY:Using_Word's_Properties_to_flow_into_a_more_accessible_PDF|Using Word's Properties to flow into a more accessible PDF]].
** Our KB article: [[ALLY:Using_Word's_Properties_to_flow_into_a_more_accessible_PDF|Using Word's Properties to flow into a more accessible PDF]].


<span id="moodle"></span>
=== Moodle ===
=== Moodle ===


<span id="atto-editor"></span>
==== Atto Editor ====
==== Atto Editor ====
 
* Swarthmore ITS Blog post: [https://blogs.swarthmore.edu/its/2022/06/02/atto-text-editor-moodle-accessibility-part-2/ Reach all users with Atto text editor in Moodle].
* Swarthmore ITS Blog post about using Atto for accessibility features: [https://blogs.swarthmore.edu/its/2022/06/02/atto-text-editor-moodle-accessibility-part-2/ Reach all users with Atto text editor in Moodle [Moodle accessibility, part 2]].
* Moodle's [https://docs.moodle.org/402/en/Atto_editor Atto Editor documentation].
* Moodle's [https://docs.moodle.org/402/en/Atto_editor Atto Editor documentation].


<span id="tinymce-editor"></span>
==== TinyMCE Editor ====
==== [https://docs.moodle.org/402/en/TinyMCE_editor TinyMCE Editor] ====
* [https://docs.moodle.org/402/en/TinyMCE_editor TinyMCE Editor Documentation]


{{ExpandEnd}}
{{ExpandEnd}}


<div class="ac-multiexcerpt-macro">
{{Warning
|body = '''Heading 1'''
You will only ever use Heading 1 or <code><h1></h1></code> once in your materials.
* In Microsoft Office, Heading 1 will usually coincide with "Title" in the document’s metadata.
* In HTML, <code><h1></h1></code> and <code><title></code> often have some kind of relationship.
If you have questions, please reach out to [mailto:accessibility@swarthmore.edu accessibility@swarthmore.edu].
}}


<!-- &lt;ac:structured-macro ac:name=&quot;multiexcerpt-macro&quot; ac:schema-version=&quot;1&quot; data-layout=&quot;default&quot; ac:local-id=&quot;4e3f7dcb-688b-4a7a-9914-7f864c2adc24&quot; ac:macro-id=&quot;552b18f7-9b01-4240-b65b-f37906a60b27&quot;&gt; &lt;ac:parameter ac:name=&quot;hidden&quot;&gt;false&lt;/ac:parameter&gt; &lt;ac:parameter ac:name=&quot;name&quot;&gt;Heading 1&lt;/ac:parameter&gt; &lt;ac:parameter ac:name=&quot;fallback&quot;&gt;false&lt;/ac:parameter&gt; &lt;ac:rich-text-body&gt;{{Warning
[https://youtu.be/0xAv1l04aJI Screen Reader Demo With Headings [YouTube]]
|body =
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Heading 1&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You will only ever use Heading 1 or &lt;code&gt;&amp;lt;h1&amp;gt;&lt;/code&gt; once in your materials. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;In Microsoft Office, Heading 1 will usually coincide with &quot;Title&quot; in the document’s metadata. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;p&gt;In HTML, &lt;code&gt;&amp;lt;h1&amp;gt;&lt;/code&gt; and &lt;code&gt;&amp;lt;title&amp;gt;&lt;/code&gt; often have some kind of relationship.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you have questions, please reach out to &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:accessibility@swarthmore.edu&quot;&gt;accessibility@swarthmore.edu&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;}}
&lt;/ac:rich-text-body&gt; &lt;/ac:structured-macro&gt; -->[[Category:Broken_macro/multiexcerpt-macro]]


</div>
[https://youtu.be/0xAv1l04aJI?si=zDevmiYLH1okRUaz Screen Reader Demo With Headings [YouTube]]
<span id="convey-meaning-with-words"></span>
== Convey Meaning with Words ==
== Convey Meaning with Words ==


{{ExpandStart
{{ExpandStart
|title = How to use words to convey meaning...
|title = How to use words to convey meaning...
|breakoutWidth = 1800
}}
}}


<span id="links"></span>
=== Links ===
=== Links ===


When providing a link somewhere within your text, be sure to provide context. Screen readers provide users the opportunity to scroll through links, so links such as &quot;click here&quot; and &quot;more&quot; do not make sense to screen readers. You can see examples below:
When providing a link somewhere within your text, be sure to provide context. Screen readers provide users the opportunity to scroll through links, so links such as "click here" and "more" do not make sense out of context.


* Deque University accessibility tips article: [https://dequeuniversity.com/tips/link-text Use link text that makes sense when read out of context]
* Deque University: [https://dequeuniversity.com/tips/link-text Use link text that makes sense when read out of context]
* WebAIM's article: [https://webaim.org/techniques/hypertext/link_text Links and Hypertext: Link Text and Appearance] 
* WebAIM: [https://webaim.org/techniques/hypertext/link_text Links and Hypertext: Link Text and Appearance]


<span id="color"></span>
=== Color ===
=== Color ===


Sometimes the text needs to stand out. Ask a question as to how one might do that. Color is not read aloud, so consider also calling attention to important text with words. For instance:
Color is not read aloud by screen readers, so consider calling attention to important text with words.


* '''''<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">Important</span>'''''<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">:</span> <span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">Paper due on April 15th. All late papers will be deducted one grade per day late.</span>
* <span style="color:blue">'''Important:'''</span> Paper due on April 15th. All late papers will be deducted one grade per day late.
* '''<span style="color: rgb(153,51,0);">Note</span>'''<span style="color: rgb(153,51,0);">: All applicants must sign on line 11 and line 15 in order to have their pay direct deposited.</span>
* <span style="color:brown">'''Note:'''</span> All applicants must sign on line 11 and line 15 in order to have their pay direct deposited.
* <span style="color: rgb(0,51,0);">Urgent: Pay attention to all directions before handing in this form.</span>
* <span style="color:green">'''Urgent:'''</span> Pay attention to all directions before handing in this form.


When using color, always consider the contrast between the background and the text. Use [https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/ WebAIM's Contrast Checker] or [https://www.siegemedia.com/contrast-ratio Lea Verou's Contrast Ratio Checker] to ensure all users who have sight can see the information.
When using color, ensure high contrast. Use [https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/ WebAIM's Contrast Checker] or [https://www.siegemedia.com/contrast-ratio Lea Verou's Contrast Ratio Checker].


<span id="alt-text-captions-image-descriptions-etc."></span>
=== Alt-Text, Captions, Image Descriptions, etc. ===
=== Alt-Text, Captions, Image Descriptions, etc. ===


When someone is accessing material with a screen reader, they may not see an image. They will not know the content of an image unless there is some sort of descriptive text in the form of alternative text (commonly referred to as &quot;alt-text&quot;), a caption, an image description, or other form of text that their screen reader has access to. Providing this is necessary for all users to understand the meaning of the material and why an image is being included.
Providing descriptive text is necessary for all users to understand the meaning of an image.
 
A best practice is to include a description somewhere in the text so that everyone can see it. This can be very difficult to do. Below are a few resources we have found to be useful:
 
* The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) [https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/images/ Web Accessibility Initiative's (WAI) Images Tutorial] singles out informative images, decorative images, functional images, images of text, complex images like graphs and diagrams, groups of images, and image maps.
* WebAIM goes more in-depth about images in its [https://webaim.org/techniques/images/ Accessible Images article] but covers alt-text quite well in its [https://webaim.org/techniques/alttext/ Alternative Text article].
* Bojana Coklyat and Shannon Finnegan developed [https://alt-text-as-poetry.net/ Alt Text as Poetry], a website and workshop dedicated to helping everyone understand how important alt-text is and also how to develop it. [https://shannonfinnegan.com/alt-text-as-poetry From Shannon's website:]


<blockquote>&quot;This project reframes alt text as a type of poetry and creates opportunities to practice writing it.&quot;
* [https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/images/ W3C WAI Images Tutorial]
</blockquote>
* [https://webaim.org/techniques/images/ WebAIM: Accessible Images]
* Benetech's [https://poet.diagramcenter.org/index.html Diagram Center Poet Training Tool] teaches you when and how to describe images, and lets you practice.
* [https://alt-text-as-poetry.net/ Alt Text as Poetry]
* [https://poet.diagramcenter.org/index.html Benetech's Poet Training Tool]


{{ExpandEnd}}
{{ExpandEnd}}


<span id="in-program-accessibility-checkers"></span>
== In-program Accessibility Checkers ==
== In-program Accessibility Checkers ==


{{ExpandStart
{{ExpandStart
|title = Use in-program accessibility checkers to find and fix
|title = Use in-program accessibility checkers to find and fix
|breakoutWidth = 1800
}}
}}


<span id="adobe-accessibility-checker"></span>
=== Adobe Accessibility Checker ===
=== [https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html Adobe Accessibility Checker] ===
* [https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html Adobe Help: Create and verify PDF accessibility]
 
See also:
 
* [https://support.swarthmore.edu/a/solutions/articles/14000049660 Changing the title of an Adobe PDF | Swarthmore ITS Solutions]
* [https://support.swarthmore.edu/a/solutions/articles/14000046898 Changing the global language of an Adobe PDF | Swarthmore ITS Solutions]


<span id="google-1"></span>
=== Google ===
=== Google ===
[https://bit.ly/GoogleAccessibilityChecker Install and run Grackle] for Docs, Sheets, and Slides.


[https://bit.ly/GoogleAccessibilityChecker Install and run Grackle] for each program (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc)
<span id="libreoffice"></span>
=== LibreOffice ===
=== LibreOffice ===
Go to '''Tools → Accessibility Check'''


'''Tools''' '''→ Accessibility Check'''
=== Microsoft Office ===
* [[ALLY:Use_Microsoft's_Accessibility_Checkers|Microsoft Office: How to use Accessibility Review]]
Go to '''Review → Check Accessibility'''


<span id="allyuse_microsofts_accessibility_checkersmicrosoft-office-how-to-use-accessibility-review-kb-article"></span>
=== Moodle ===
=== [[ALLY:Use_Microsoft's_Accessibility_Checkers|Microsoft Office: How to use Accessibility Review KB article]] ===


'''Review''' '''→ Check Accessibility'''
==== Atto Editor ====
 
# '''Expand''' the editor's menu (down arrow).
<span id="moodle-1"></span>
# '''Click on''' the "Accessibility checker" icon (stick figure in a circle).
=== '''Moodle''' ===
 
<span id="atto-editor-1"></span>
==== [https://docs.moodle.org/402/en/Atto_editor#Accessibility_checker '''Atto Editor'''] ====
 
# '''Expand''' the editor's menu by clicking the down arrow, which is the first button on the left-hand side and top row of the editor. A screen tip will indicate &quot;Show/hide advanced buttons.&quot;
# '''Click on''' the first item in the sixth section, which looks like a stick figure of a person in a circle.
 
[https://docs.moodle.org/402/en/TinyMCE_editor#Accessibility_checker '''TinyMCE Editor''']


==== TinyMCE Editor ====
Go to '''Tools → Accessibility Checker''' in the editor.
Go to '''Tools → Accessibility Checker''' in the editor.


{{ExpandEnd}}
{{ExpandEnd}}


<span id="captioning"></span>
== Captioning ==
== Captioning ==


{{ExpandStart
{{ExpandStart
|title = Ensure all video has captions and transcripts; ensure all audio has transcripts
|title = Ensure all video has captions and transcripts; ensure all audio has transcripts
|breakoutWidth = 1800
}}
}}


<span id="google-slides"></span>
=== [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/9109474?hl=en Google Slides] ===
=== [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/9109474?hl=en Google Slides] ===


<span id="microsoft-office-365-powerpoint"></span>
=== [https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/present-with-real-time-automatic-captions-or-subtitles-in-powerpoint-68d20e49-aec3-456a-939d-34a79e8ddd5f Microsoft Office 365 PowerPoint] ===
=== [https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/present-with-real-time-automatic-captions-or-subtitles-in-powerpoint-68d20e49-aec3-456a-939d-34a79e8ddd5f Microsoft Office 365 PowerPoint] ===


Please see our article on [[Confluence----1---Microsoft_Office_365|installing and accessing Microsoft Office 365]][[Category:Broken_page_link]] if you have questions about the program itself.
=== [[Auto Captioning Videos in Panopto|Panopto]] ===
 
<span id="confluence----1---auto_captioning_videos_in_panoptopanoptocategorybroken_page_link"></span>
=== [[Confluence----1---Auto_Captioning_Videos_in_Panopto|Panopto]][[Category:Broken_page_link]] ===


<span id="allyauto-captioning_video_in_youtubeyoutube"></span>
=== [[ALLY:Auto-Captioning_Video_in_YouTube|YouTube]] ===
=== [[ALLY:Auto-Captioning_Video_in_YouTube|YouTube]] ===


<span id="confluence----1---automated_captioning_in_zoomzoomcategorybroken_page_link"></span>
=== [[Automated Captioning in Zoom|Zoom]] ===
=== [[Confluence----1---Automated_Captioning_in_Zoom|Zoom]][[Category:Broken_page_link]] ===


{{ExpandEnd}}
{{ExpandEnd}}


<span id="setting-a-language"></span>
== Setting a Language ==
== Setting a Language ==


Many programs in most operating systems (OS) follow the overall system settings for language. To view your system's settings:
* MacOS: [https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-the-system-language-mh26684/mac Change system language]
 
* Windows: [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-the-input-and-display-language-settings-in-windows-12a10cb4-8626-9b77-0ccb-5013e0c7c7a2 Manage language settings]
* MacOS: [https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-the-system-language-mh26684/mac Change the language your Mac uses ]
* Windows: [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-the-input-and-display-language-settings-in-windows-12a10cb4-8626-9b77-0ccb-5013e0c7c7a2 Manage the input and display language settings in Windows]


{{ExpandStart
{{ExpandStart
|title = Setting your document or content language is an important indicator to all users
|title = Setting your document or content language
|breakoutWidth = 1800
}}
}}


<span id="apple-pages"></span>
=== Apple Pages ===
=== Apple Pages ===
# Go to '''File > Advanced > Language & Region'''.
# Choose the appropriate **Language** and **Region**.


# Choose '''File''' from the menu at the top of your screen.
# Select '''Advanced'''.
# Choose the '''Language &amp; Region'''.
# In the dialog box that appears, first choose '''Language'''
#* '''Important Note:''' According to Apple support page on [https://support.apple.com/guide/pages/format-a-document-for-another-language-tan2a7f8e5ce/mac#:~:text=Change%20a%20document's%20language%20and%20formatting&text=Choose%20File%20%3E%20Advanced%20%3E%20Language%20%26,a%20language%20and%20a%20region. <u>Change a document’s language and formatting</u>], changing the language of a document may reset the language and region of your computer. However, we have not experienced this. If you do discover this has happened, go to: 
#** System Settings, 
#** Search for Language &amp; Region,
#** Change to your preferred language, 
#** and ensure it is set as the Primary.
# Next, choose '''Region'''.
# Choose '''Okay'''.
<span id="adobe-acrobat"></span>
=== Adobe Acrobat ===
=== Adobe Acrobat ===
# Navigate to [https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html#fix_accessibility_issues Fix accessibility issues].
# Set the **Document Language** in the file properties.


# Navigate to [https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html#fix_accessibility_issues '''Fix accessibility issues (Acrobat Pro)''']
=== Microsoft Office ===
# Scroll down to '''Document Language''' or use '''Ctrl+f''' to find &quot;Document Language.&quot;
* [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-an-editing-or-authoring-language-or-set-language-preferences-in-office-663d9d94-ca99-4a0d-973e-7c4a6b8a827d Add an editing or authoring language].
# Follow the instructions to set document-wide language or the language of a part of a document, if it's different from the overall language of the document. 


See also: [https://support.swarthmore.edu/a/solutions/articles/14000046898 Changing the global language of an Adobe PDF | Swarthmore ITS Solutions]
=== Google Docs ===
* [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/187189?hl=en Translate documents or write in a different language].


<span id="microsoft-office-add-an-editing-or-authoring-language-or-set-language-preferences-in-office"></span>
=== [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-an-editing-or-authoring-language-or-set-language-preferences-in-office-663d9d94-ca99-4a0d-973e-7c4a6b8a827d Microsoft Office | Add an editing or authoring language or set language preferences in Office] ===
<span id="google-docs-translate-documents-or-write-in-a-different-language"></span>
=== [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/187189?hl=en Google Docs | Translate documents or write in a different language] ===
<span id="html-1"></span>
=== HTML ===
=== HTML ===
 
* [https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-html-language-declarations Declaring language in HTML].
* The World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) [https://www.w3.org/International/questions/qa-html-language-declarations Declaring language in HTML article].
* [https://www.w3schools.com/tags/ref_language_codes.asp W3Schools' Language Code Reference].


{{ExpandEnd}}
{{ExpandEnd}}


<span id="additional-resources"></span>
== Additional Resources ==
== Additional Resources ==


* https://blogs.swarthmore.edu/its/2025/08/20/introducing-an-accessible-syllabus-template/
* [https://blogs.swarthmore.edu/its/2025/08/20/introducing-an-accessible-syllabus-template/ Accessible Syllabus Template]
* [https://webaim.org/blog/word-and-powerpoint-alt-text-roundup/ WebAIM article on Microsoft’s built-in alt text generator]
* [https://webaim.org/blog/word-and-powerpoint-alt-text-roundup/ WebAIM: Microsoft’s built-in alt text generator]
* [https://www.swarthmore.edu/accessibility/general-course-material-guidelines General Course Material Guidelines for Faculty] from [https://www.swarthmore.edu/accessibility Accessibility@Swarthmore].
* [https://www.swarthmore.edu/accessibility/general-course-material-guidelines General Course Material Guidelines for Faculty]
* Google's [https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6199477?hl=en Make your document or presentation more accessible].
* [[Accessibility File Scan]] tool for course materials.
* Our [[Confluence----1---Accessibility_Filescan|Accessibility File Scan]][[Category:Broken_page_link]] is a tool faculty, teaching and instructional staff, and anyone assisting in the preparation of course materials can utilize. These results are not currently viewable by students. This modal usually appears at the top right of every course page.
* [https://teachaccess.org/resources/creating-accessible-course-content/ Creating Accessible Course Content] from TeachAccess.
* [https://teachaccess.org/resources/creating-accessible-course-content/ Creating Accessible Course Content] from our partner, [https://teachaccess.org/ TeachAccess].
* [https://webaim.org/blog/webaim-million-2022/ WebAIM Million Report]
* [https://webaim.org/blog/webaim-million-2022/ WebAIM Million Report] documents the accessibility of websites over time.
 
[[Category:Accessibility]] [[Category:Google]] [[Category:Microsoft]] [[Category:Pdf]] [[Category:Captions]] [[Category:Panopto]] [[Category:Youtube]] [[Category:Zoom]]
{{AttachmentsSectionStart}}
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Screen_Shot_2022-01-10_at_12.55.18_PM.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Moodle_File_Scan.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Screen_Shot_2022-01-10_at_1.14.34_PM.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Moodle_File_Scan_Details.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_Home_Ribbon.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_StylesPane.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_TextToFormatHighlighted.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_Heading1Selected.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_Heading2Highlighted.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_Heading2Selected.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_Heading3Selected.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_RightClicktoFontMenu.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_FontDialogBox.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_Font_Select1Heading2.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_RightClick_StylesPane.png]]
* [[Media:ALLY_Fast_Five_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials-Word_Example_Doc.png]]
 
{{AttachmentsSectionEnd}}
 
<!-- From bodyContent 20383260.mraw -->


[[Category:Accessibility]]
[[Category:Google]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Pdf]]
[[Category:Captions]]
[[Category:Panopto]]
[[Category:Youtube]]
[[Category:Zoom]]

Revision as of 18:29, 8 May 2026

Most employees and students can take advantage of these tools in order to create materials for all constituents—employees, alumni, and students—to work and learn with confidence.

Table of Contents

Select the link to be taken directly to that section of the article.

In-program Styles

Using appropriate headings in the appropriate order in your current program is necessary. They add structure and create consistency in documents and allow screen readers to easily—audibly—scan the information. Additionally, authors can easily create such things as a Table of Contents or view an Outline.

Template:Warning

Template:ExpandStart

Apple

Google

HTML

In HTML, titles should exist within the <title> tag. There should only be one, and it should also be somehow related—and maybe even exactly the same—as the

. Use headings to establish structure.

LaTeX

In LaTeX, title is again metadata. Insert the title in the preamble metadata: \title{_}.

Styles that are important to structure in a LaTeX file are:

  • Insert sections in document body: \section{_}, \subsection{_}, etc.
  • Numbered lists in use: \begin{enumerate} \item ... \end{enumerate}
  • Bulleted list use: \begin{itemize} \item ... \end{itemize}

See also:

Markdown

In Markdown, your title exists after a singular hashtag, # Title. Hashtags give markdown structure. The relationship between Markdown and HTML shows us that

and <title> are often similar or the same.

Template:Note

Microsoft

Moodle

Atto Editor

TinyMCE Editor

Template:ExpandEnd

Template:Warning

Screen Reader Demo With Headings [YouTube]

Convey Meaning with Words

Template:ExpandStart

Links

When providing a link somewhere within your text, be sure to provide context. Screen readers provide users the opportunity to scroll through links, so links such as "click here" and "more" do not make sense out of context.

Color

Color is not read aloud by screen readers, so consider calling attention to important text with words.

  • Important: Paper due on April 15th. All late papers will be deducted one grade per day late.
  • Note: All applicants must sign on line 11 and line 15 in order to have their pay direct deposited.
  • Urgent: Pay attention to all directions before handing in this form.

When using color, ensure high contrast. Use WebAIM's Contrast Checker or Lea Verou's Contrast Ratio Checker.

Alt-Text, Captions, Image Descriptions, etc.

Providing descriptive text is necessary for all users to understand the meaning of an image.

Template:ExpandEnd

In-program Accessibility Checkers

Template:ExpandStart

Adobe Accessibility Checker

Google

Install and run Grackle for Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

LibreOffice

Go to Tools → Accessibility Check

Microsoft Office

Go to Review → Check Accessibility

Moodle

Atto Editor

  1. Expand the editor's menu (down arrow).
  2. Click on the "Accessibility checker" icon (stick figure in a circle).

TinyMCE Editor

Go to Tools → Accessibility Checker in the editor.

Template:ExpandEnd

Captioning

Template:ExpandStart

Google Slides

Microsoft Office 365 PowerPoint

Panopto

YouTube

Zoom

Template:ExpandEnd

Setting a Language

Template:ExpandStart

Apple Pages

  1. Go to File > Advanced > Language & Region.
  2. Choose the appropriate **Language** and **Region**.

Adobe Acrobat

  1. Navigate to Fix accessibility issues.
  2. Set the **Document Language** in the file properties.

Microsoft Office

Google Docs

HTML

Template:ExpandEnd

Additional Resources

Retrieved from "https://kb.swarthmore.edu/index.php?title=%22Fast_Five%22_Essentials_to_Preparing_Materials&oldid=575"