Word overview
On this page
- Word training manual
- Why Word documents?
- A good start to tagging PDFs
- Start learning how to create accessible content!
Note: The Word training is shown on Microsoft Word 2010 however still applies to earlier versions of Word.
Word training manual
Why Word documents?
Microsoft Word is considered an accessible format for downloadable documents on the internet, including as an alternative to PDF. However, Word documents are required to be provided in an accessible format. There are specific features that must be implemented within a Word document to optimise access for people with a disability, especially for people who are blind or have low vision.
Word documents that comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 accessibility requirements include:
- Alternative text for images (alternative text to be supplied by the agency);
- Using pre-set styles for headings;
- Active hyperlinks and email links;
- Using bullet points to create lists;
- Specifying header rows in tables; and
- Text boxes replaced as text.
A good start to tagging PDFs
It is a WCAG 2 Level A requirement that PDFs have an accessible equivalent as well are being tagged. An accessible alternative can be in the following formats:
- RTF;
- HTML;
- Text; or
- Word document
In the HREOC 2008 media release, the Disability Discrimination Commission stated:
When documents are only put on the Internet in PDF format, it usually results in inadequate or zero access for people with disability. “You can use HTML, Microsoft Word, or RTF formats”, said the Commissioner. “It’s particularly depressing to see documents created in word-processor formats, which provide very good access, being converted into PDF, which doesn’t, then only being posted in PDF.
Graeme Innes, Disability Discrimination Commissioner
If you are creating a PDF from a Word document and tagging the PDF for accessibility then it is much easier starting with an accessible Word document. If the Word document is accessible, the conversion to PDF is much cleaner with many tags already coming through the conversion process. Instead of starting tagging from scratch which is very time consuming, you start with tags in the document that only need editing. Our Creating accessible Word document training is a great introduction and start to the PDF tagging training!
Start learning how to create accessible content!
Time to get stuck into the video walkthroughs. First up is accessible content.