Slide Decks (PowerPoint) Accessibility

What

Update/create accessible Slide Decks (PowerPoint presentations).

Why

Paying attention to how you format a slide deck allows people with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments to access the deck with assistive technologies like screen readers.

Focus for 2025-26 Academic Year

When updating existing slide decks:

• Run the PowerPoint Accessibility Assistant (Video, 1:32) and address these flagged issues:
  • Missing alt text – see Images & Diagrams for more information
  • Hard-to-read text contrast
  • Eliminate duplicate slide titles
• Review the document for meaningful link text and fix as needed
• Confirm that all elements can be seen simultaneously (i.e., animations do not cover content)

When creating new slide decks:

• Use pre-formatted slides
• Run the PowerPoint Accessibility Assistant (Video, 1:32) and address all flagged issues
• Review the document for meaningful link text and fix as needed
• Create slides so all content is visible
  • If you want to reveal content over time, use multiple slides

Example

• In HNG Day 8, In-Class Resources, HNG Mouth-Small Group In-Class Slides, add alt text to the 6 images flagged with “Missing alt text”.

More Resources

• Comprehensive look at slide deck accessibility: Making Slide Decks Accessible
  • Instructions to use templates are listed under Microsoft PowerPoint > 1. Use pre-formatted slides
• Visual accessibility functions in PowerPoint: Making PowerPoint Slides Visually Accessible
• Creating Meaningful Links
• Create Unambiguous Names for Links (Video, 3:33)
• UW Medicine PowerPoint template
• UW PowerPoint template

A More Detailed Why

Creating accessible slide decks significantly enhances accessibility for all users. Students using assistive technologies, such as screen readers or keyboard navigation, can move through slides in the correct order. Clear contrast, readable fonts, and logical layouts make visual elements easier to interpret, reducing cognitive load for sighted users. By following accessibility best practices, instructors create an inclusive experience that supports learners with visual, cognitive, or mobility challenges.