Word Checklist
File Setup
- The document file name does not contain spaces and/or special characters.
- The document file name is concise, generally limited to 20-30 characters, and makes the contents of the file clear.
- The document properties for Title, Author, Subject (AKA Description), Keywords, Language, and Copyright Status been completed.
- Your file's language is set to English (or the applicable language).
- Track changes have been accepted or rejected and turned off.
- Comments been removed and formatting marks been turned off.
- If there are more than 10 pages, did you add a table of contents?
Text
- The document utilizes accessible fonts and formats for the ease of users (i.e., widely available and easy to read fonts like Times New Roman, Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, or Calibri), and avoids script and other decorative fonts.
- The document uses adequate line spacing and spacing between text for readability.
- Headings are defined by Styles in Word and are organized in a hierarchal and logical fashion, with consecutive headings (i.e., no missing heading levels).
- The Bullets and Numbering tools have been used to create lists (not using tabs and manually typed characters like hyphens, numbers, or other icons).
- All columns are created using the Columns feature and not typed or spaced manually.
- The content clear and concise.
- All hyperlinks use descriptive link text that let users know about the content of the linked page prior to selecting it (i.e., avoid generic phrases like "click here").
- The color contrast ratio between foreground text and background color is sufficient (the Microsoft Accessibility Checker should check this).
- Any vital information found in headers, footers, or watermarks has been duplicated into the main body of the document.
Images
- All images, grouped images, and non-text elements that convey information have meaningful alternative text.
- Complex images (charts, graphs, diagrams, etc.) have descriptive text near the image (such as a caption or long description).
- The document does not contain images of text whenever possible (text within images disappear when images are not available). If images of text are used to convey information, that text is present in alternative text or in a nearby description.
- If color is used to emphasize important text, you have also used an alternative to color to convey information.
- If sensory information (e.g., shape, size, color, visual location, orientation, sound, etc.) is used to convey information, you have provided an alternative method to convey that information.
Tables
- All data tables in the document have designated row and/or column headers in table properties.
- The table header repeats automatically at the top of the table as it goes from one page to another.
- Row properties are set so cells are not allowed to break across pages, and Table Properties for Text Wrapping are set to None.
- Tables do not contain split or merged cells, or nested tables.
Accessibility Check
- Your document passes the built-in Office Accessibility Checker.
- You reviewed the Word Accessibility Microsoft Support article for more information.
- When there is no other way to make the content accessible, you have provided a separate accessible version of the document near the original version.
- Contact the Accessibility Network if you are having trouble.