Checklist for PowerPoint Presentations
Please note that all links open in a new window, so you can read an explanation, close the window and continue reviewing your checklist. The keyboard command to close the current window is Control + F4.
Checklist compiled from information found in the Microsoft accessibility pages, opens in a new window, the American Printing House for the Blind website, opens in a new window, the 508 checklist, opens in a new window provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Disability Access Services Website, opens in a new window.
Introduction
PowerPoint presentations tend to be highly visual, and people who are blind or have low vision can understand them more easily if you create your slides with accessibility in mind. Remember, what you do to make your presentation accessible for the person with low vision will ultimately make it more readable for everyone.
Download Accessible MS PowerPoint Checklist
Basics
I used a sans serif typeface/font of a minimum of 28 point for text, 32 for headings and 30 for subheadings
- Why does font matter in PowerPoint?, opens in a new window
- How to change font in PowerPoint, opens in a new window
- How to easily check the font in PowerPoint, opens in a new window
I created adequate contrast by using a recommended color combination
- Why is contrast important in PowerPoint?, opens in a new window
- How to create adequate contrast in Power Point, opens in a new window
- How to check the contrast in PowerPoint, opens in a new window
I saved as a PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx) with a descriptive filename
- Why is a descriptive name important in PowerPoint?, opens in a new window
- How to save a presentation with a descriptive name, opens in a new window
- How to easily check the presentation’s file name, opens in a new window
Slide Basics
I used the built-in slide designs to create slides
- Why do I need to use built-in slide designs?, opens in a new window
- How do I create accessible slides?, opens in a new window
- How to check the slide’s reading order, opens in a new window
I gave every slide a unique title
- Why do slide titles matter?, opens in a new window
- How to add slide titles, opens in a new window
- How to easily check my slides titles, opens in a new window
I created slides with no more than three different blocks of information, and no more than six individual lines of information per block
Important Things to Avoid
I avoided using all capital letters, shadow text, and excessive italics or underlines
I avoided using a graphical background, or a blue color background
For text and background, I avoided using the color gray
I avoided using grayscale for photos, graphics, graphs, maps or charts
Except for bulleted lists, I avoided placing information in columns
I avoided using text boxes
I avoided using automatic slide transitions, or transitions that are not low-vision-friendly
I excluded flashing or animated text and objects
Slide Structure
I used list and bullet styles as opposed to manually typed characters (e.g., Hyphens, numbers, or graphics)
- Why should I use built-in styles to create lists?, opens in a new window
- How to create lists in PowerPoint, opens in a new window
- How to check my lists in PowerPoint, opens in a new window
If the slide has a tabular appearance, I used the table option, as opposed to manual tabs and/or spaces
- Why do tables matter?, opens in a new window
- How to create layout tables in PowerPoint, opens in a new window
- How to easily check your tables, opens in a new window
For data tables, I used a simple table structure, and specified column header information
- Why are data tables important in PowerPoint?, opens in a new window
- How to create a data table in PowerPoint, opens in a new window
- How to check my data table, opens in a new window
I created descriptive hyperlinks and screen tips
- Why are hyperlinks important in PowerPoint?, opens in a new window
- How to add descriptive links to my presentation, opens in a new window
- How to easily check links in my presentation, opens in a new window
Visuals, Color and Background
I used alt text to create accessible images and other objects
- Why are images and objects important in PowerPoint?, opens in a new window
- How to add alt text in PowerPoint, opens in a new window
- How to check if an image or object has alt text, opens in a new window
I added text to ensure that color (and other sensory characteristics) were not the only way to convey meaning
- Why is it important to use text in addition to color in my presentation?, opens in a new window
- How to add text to convey meaning, opens in a new window
- How to check color and other sensory characteristics in my presentation, opens in a new window
I created accessible multimedia files