2.1 Accessible Document Creation

Accessible documents-Benefit for all

When you create accessible documents, that are easier to see and understand, those documents will benefit everyone.

Pay attention to text, text colour and other formatting options you choose. Use simple, familiar Sans serif fonts (like Arial) are easier to read than serif fonts (like Times New Roman).

*A serif is a little decorative line that is found on letters in some fonts like Times New Roman.

Using standard fonts with clear spacing and easily recognized upper and lower case characters makes the document easier to read. All caps text in large amounts will be difficult to read.

A sufficient amount of contrast also important to create accessible document. Using a pattern background for visual appearance makes document difficult to read and understand for all.

Always use a single solid colour for a text background. To check the contrast and the colours used in your document, you can visit an online contrast checker like WebAIM (link opens in new window)s Contrast Checker or Accessible web contrast checker (link opens in new window).

Clear, short sentences are easy to read. If acronyms, abbreviations are used they must be clearly defined. Avoid making the document cluttered with too many different colours, fonts and images. If the headings need to be repeated maintain consistency.

Add hyperlink to selected text as a meaningful, self-describing text. When the text is read out the context should be clear. Also the link text should describe the destination of the link(whether link opens in new window or as a pop up etc.). Avoid link text as "Click here", "read more", "Click me".

To navigate easily screen reader users can arrange the hyperlinks of the document in alphabetical order. When you use words like "Click here", "read more", "Click me" they are not meaningful.