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Overview
This page provides resources is for users who need to create their own PowerPoints independently. If you are a user within our service area, you can request our Presentation Design Service.
EIR Electronic Accessibility is the training and compliance resource for accessibility at UTA. OLC Creative Services offers Self-Serve Courses to support primary training provided by EIR Electronic Accessibility. We cannot create accessible content or verify accessibility for groups outside our service area.
UTA PowerPoint Template
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Use the UTA PowerPoint template when presenting to the entire University and for all external presentations.
Access the UTA PowerPoint template.
Best Practices
- Use the accessible template correctly.
- Only use Placeholders (dashed line boxes) for all text and images.
- Do not manually insert anything using Insert Text Box or Insert Picture. If you do, it will not be accessible.
- If you need additional Placeholders, add them under View > Slide Master. Then return to View > Normal to add your content.
- Alt-tag images.
- Use accessible colors.
- Ensure every slide has a unique title.
- Duplicate slide titles are not accessible.
- You can add “Continued” to the title if you need to continue onto a second slide.
- Set the Reading Order using the Selection Pane.
- Ensure all fonts are legible.
- Fonts should be larger than 16 pts if the PowerPoint is projected in a room.
- Fonts can be 14pts if the PowerPoint is shared via Teams.
- Ensure the slide is not crammed with text.
- No flashing animations or transitions.
- Run the Accessibility Checker
- Review the Outline to ensure all text is captured.
- If text is missing from the Outline, it is not accessible.
- If text is missing from the Outline, a Text Box was manually inserted instead of a Placeholder.
- Follow all best practices for accessibility. See the Inclusive Content course or contact EIR Accessibility.
Resources
- Classes on PowerPoint are free via LinkedIn Learning.
- The Bright Slide plugin is recommended to copy formatting and easily arrange elements on slides.
- The Colour Contrast Analyser is recommended for testing colors.
- Stop Auto-Resizing in PowerPoint:
- Go to File > Preferences > Auto Correct > choose the “Auto Format as You Type” tab
- UNCHECK: “Autofit title text to placeholder” and “Autofit body text to placeholder”