Word Document Accessibility: Best Practices and Remediation

Making Microsoft Word documents accessible ensures that everyone—including people who use screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive technologies—can read, understand, and interact with your content. Accessible documents are clearer, more organized, and easier to use for all readers, not just those with disabilities. By building accessibility in from the start, you improve usability, and create documents that can be more easily shared, converted, and understood across different devices and platforms.

Key Takeaways

• Use built-in headings to create a clear, logical document structure.
• Add alternative text (alt text) to images, charts, and graphics.
• Create descriptive hyperlinks that make sense out of context.
• Use proper lists and tables, including table headers where appropriate.
• Ensure text has sufficient color contrast and does not rely on color alone.
• Apply clear, unique document titles to help users identify files easily.
• Run the Accessibility Checker in Microsoft Word before sharing.

Adding Captions to Tables | This video demonstrates how to improve a Word document’s accessibility by adding a document title in file properties and inserting a properly labeled table caption, then reuploading the file to resolve issues in the accessibility report.

Adding a Header and Title | This video demonstrates how to improve a Word document’s accessibility by adding a document title in file properties and inserting a properly labeled table caption, then reuploading the file to resolve issues in the accessibility report.

Accessibility Resources by Content Type

This section provides file-specific guidance to help you identify and fix accessibility issues across common content types used in Canvas. The IDEAS team offers open labs, training sessions, and individualized support throughout the semester to help faculty meet accessibility expectations with confidence.
Click on a content type below to access step-by-step resources, best practices, and remediation support.

• 
  📄 PDF
  
• 
  📊 PowerPoint
  
• 
  📝 Word Document
  
• 
  📈 Excel Document
  
• 
  🔧 Interactive Content
  
• 
  📑 Canvas Content
  
• 
  🧭 Accessibility Guide Overview
  
• 
  ⚙️ YuJa Course Report
  
• 
  ⚠️ YuJa Troubleshoot Guide