Accessible PowerPoints Course

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Overview

This Resource is for users who need to create their own PowerPoints independently. If you are a user within our service area, please see PowerPoint Services.

Self-Serve Resources are cumulative. See the Self-Serve Courses page for the complete learning path.

Do not start this course until you have completed the following:

  1. Accessibility training provided by EIR Accessibility
  2. The Inclusive and Accessible Content course

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.

Official UTA PowerPoint Template

Business units should use the official PowerPoint template
when presenting to the entire University and for all external presentations.

Custom PowerPoints should not be used if presenting to the entire University or for external audiences.

Accessible PowerPoint

The Official UTA PowerPoint template includes instructions created by OLC Creative Services and EIR Accessibility to create accessible PowerPoints. Training is also provided by EIR Accessibility.

A few important reminders:

  • The Slide Master provides preset areas for content. Add additional placeholders under View > Slide Master. Then return to View > Normal to add your content.
  • If you are preparing an accessible PowerPoint deck, do not add additional content under View > Normal. Work with View > Slide Master first. (If this is not done, the content will not be captured in the outline structure and the slide deck will not be accessible.)
  • Follow best practices for accessible colors and visuals. (See Self-Serve Courses.)

Accessible Accommodation

If it is not possible to provide an accessible PowerPoint, you must provide an accessible accommodation.

The accommodation should be created as a Word document that presents all the information contained in your slide deck. It must repeat all text from the PowerPoint plus descriptions of all visuals and their key takeaways.

  1. Choose color-blind friendly colors for your PowerPoint.
    (See Inclusive Content course and Accessible Colors course.)
  2. Use one of the accessible Word templates to prepare an accessible Word document.
  3. Export to accessible PDF using the setting “best for electronic distribution and accessibility.”
    (See the Accessible Word Documents course.)
  4. Provide the PDF as the accessible accommodation.

Resources

  • EIR Accessibility provides training on PowerPoint accessibility.
  • Review Inclusive and Accessible Content for best practices that apply to all platforms.
  • 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.
  • Frustrated with how PowerPoint continually resizes your text? Follow these steps to make that stop!
    • 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”