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Use Microsoft's Accessibility Checkers

From Swarthmore Knowledge Base

Microsoft has made great strides toward accessibility. Many Microsoft programs include accessibility checkers. The steps for most Microsoft programs are included in this how-to.

Step-by-Step Guide

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Is Not Perfect
Please keep in mind that in-program accessibility checkers run on artificial intelligence. This means they are not perfect and will require human intervention, but these checkers are great tools in a journey toward greater accessibility.
  1. Navigate to the Review menu or tab.
    Word's Review menu shown
  2. Select Check Accessibility.
    Check Accessibility button 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.
    Accessibility pane showing inspection results. One warning is showing: Check reading order.
    The "check reading order" error from the previous image is expanded, showing that a table should be checked for reading order. The bottom of the window explains why and how to fix it.
  4. Stumped? Go to Microsoft's instructions for more detail, Google your question effectively and efficiently, or ask the accessibility team!
Accessibility Checker Available in Most Microsoft Programs
This will work in most updated Microsoft programs. See Microsoft's Accessibility Checker website for more information.
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