Accessible Presentations
What It Is
Accessible presentations are created to reach the widest audience possible by minimizing barriers created by colors, fonts, images, and other presentation elements.
Why It Matters
Accessible presentations ensure learners get the most out of lessons. When learners have equitable access, they perform better and have a reinforced sense of community in their classes. Preparing presentations with accessibility in mind also lowers the chances of needing to make last-minute adjustments due to accommodation requests.
Apply It
Develop each presentation with inclusive design elements. Consider creating a template for presentations with accessibility as the goal. Be sure to check the presentation on the computer, screen, and speakers you will use for class to verify fonts, coloration, image clarity, and sound quality remain the same.
1. Readability and Vision Considerations
- -Use 24 pt or larger size and sans serif fonts
- -Use clear, vivid, legible, and high contrast text and images
- -Shorten URLs for posted links with a shortener like Bitly
- -Include descriptive text if hyperlinking and alt text and captions for all images
- -Refrain from using non-specific visual points of reference (i.e., “as you can see here”)
- -Use distinct lines and textures for charts and graphs
- -Use color contrast checkers for text colors
- -Run images through a color blindness simulator
- -Review your presentation through a filter instructions on Mac or Windows
2. Hearing Considerations
- -Enable auto-captions on Zoom and PowerPoint, include transcripts if recorded
- -Position slide information above where captions will show
- -Try to control the background noise as much as possible
- -Ask participants with questions or comments to speak in turns and not over one another
3. Learning Considerations
- -Provide material in a variety of ways for universal engagement (i.e., visual, text, auditory)
- -Keep slides concise
- -Limit slide animations and gifs
Resources
- -Explore: Blackboard Ally
- -Explore: Student Accessibility Services Resources for Faculty
- -Read: The University of Chicago’s Lecture Inclusivity
- -University at Buffalo: Building Accessible Content
- -UNC Greensboro: Making Design Accessible: Fonts, Color Contrast, and Alt Text
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References
Henry, S. H. (Ed.). (2022, August 31). How to make your presentations and meetings accessible to all. Web Accessibility Initiative. https://www.w3.org/WAI/teach-advocate/accessible-presentations/
Office of Integrity, Safety and Compliance. (n.d.). Understanding PowerPoint accessibility. University of Colorado Boulder. https://www.colorado.edu/digital-accessibility/resources/understanding-powerpoint-accessibility
Recite Me. (n.d.). Choosing an accessible font. https://reciteme.com/uploads/articles/accessible_fonts_guide.pdf
Cite This Resource
Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation. (2023, October). Accesible Presentations [Teaching resource]. https://stli.wm.edu/accessible-presentations
Updated 10/2023