Accessible Word Templates

Presented at 8:00am in Denver 4-6 on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

#38360

Speaker(s)

  • Bevi Chagnon, Designer, Senior Accessibility Trainer, PubCom.com

Session Details

  • Length of Session: 2-hr
  • Format: Bring-your-own Device Workshop: Computers must have current version of MS Office and Adobe Acrobat.
  • Expertise Level: Intermediate
  • Type of session: General Conference

Summary

Quickly get your team on-board with accessible documents by providing accessible Word templates. From simple to complex documents, the session demonstrates the key methods that guide authors as they create accessible MS Word files. Also covers how to distribute templates, managing Word’s styles and QuickParts, critical features of the DOTX format, different methods of exporting to accessible PDFs, and ways to provide user manuals and guides for authors.

Abstract

Make inroads to accessibility throughout your organization. Pre-made accessible templates are an easy way to get better, more accessible documents from colleagues. This hands-on session shows how to create Word templates for simple documents to more complex STEM and technical reports. Also covers how to distribute templates, managing Word’s styles and QuickParts, critical features of the DOTX format, different methods of exporting to accessible PDFs, and ways to provide user manuals and guides for authors.

Keypoints

  1. Control Word’s styles for formatting and accessibility.
  2. Build accessible tables, lists, TOCs, hyperlinks, sidebars, graphics, and captions.
  3. Create a Word.dotx template file and matching user guide.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Accessible Educational Materials, Administrative/Campus Policy, Alternate Format, Assistive Technology, Faculty Development & Support, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Bevi Chagnon

Bevi Chagnon has been active in the standards community for 25 years, and currently is a US Delegate to the ISO committees for PDF and PDF/UA. With a long career in publishing, she’s an expert for Adobe InDesign, Acrobat, MS Office, and accessibility. She’s a professional educator, award-winning designer, and former faculty member at Washington DC-area colleges/universities. Bevi is a frequent speaker at industry conferences, and a contributor on many forums, including the Adobe Community Forums where she is an invited Community Expert.