Google Slides

General
Google Slides Accessibility Rule How To Fix

A title is provided for the presentation.

The title of a presentation identifies the content of the presentation. Titles are very important because they distinguish presentations from one another and identify the focus of the presentation.

To add or edit the title:

  1. Select File.
  2. Select Rename.
  3. Enter a title, or edit the existing title.
  4. Select enter on the keyboard, OR click out of the text field to save the new title.

Document has a set language, and the set language is correct.

Documents should specify the language in which it has been created. Screen reading technologies rely on the specified language to determine how to pronounce the document text. The default language for Google Docs is English. 

To set or verify the language:

  1. Select File.
  2. Expand the Language menu.
  3. Review the current language selected; if incorrect, select the appropriate language.

Clear descriptions are used for hyperlinks that convey where the link goes.

Screen reader users generate a list of links to assist in navigating a document; therefore, hyperlinks should be descriptive and clearly identify the target of the hyperlink. Redundant or ambiguous link text such as "More" or “Click here” should be avoided.

To add a hyperlink:

  1. Copy the URL (web address) you wish to use.
  2. In the Google Doc, highlight the text you wish to make a hyperlink.
  3. Right-click on the highlighted text, then select Insert Link.
  4. Paste the URL into the text field.
  5. Select Apply.

Multiple elements (i.e. color, underline, italics, etc.) are used to illustrate meaning.

Color should not be used as the sole method of conveying content or distinguishing visual elements. If color is used to illustrate a concept, be sure to provide alternative means of obtaining the same information or provide an explanation within the text itself. 

Add additional elements to items in which meaning is illustrated through color alone. This could include underlining, or adding a note at the top of the document explaining that correct answers are underlined.

Keep in mind that color can be used with additional elements, as long as the contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text is present.

The reading order of the objects on a slide presentation is logical.

Assistive technology users use a screen reader to read the information presented on the slides. When creating slides, putting the objects in a logical reading order is crucial for screen-reader users to understand the slide.

Objects are listed in the order that a screen reader will read them in. The number next to each object indicates the position in the sequence. Objects without a number will be skipped because they are marked decorative.

It is highly recommended to use the built-in layout options to maintain accessibility as much as possible. Avoid adding your own textboxes.

To review the reading order:

  1. Select a slide.
  2. Select the Tab button on your keyboard.
  3. Move through the objects on the slide using the tab button to verify the reading order is correct.

To adjust the order:

  1. Select the element that you want to change.
  2. Select the Arrange menu, then select Order. Send backward raises the object higher in the reading order. Bring forward makes the object lower in the reading order.
  3. Test reading order with the Tab key again.

You may need to experiment with object grouping in order to create a logical order.

Sufficient contrast between text and background is present.

People with low vision, poor vision, or color blindness often find it hard to read text that does not contrast with the background. Avoid the use of font colors such as pink, yellow and orange.

To edit text font color:

  1. Select the text.
  2. Use the font color menu to change light font colors to a darker shade; or if using a dark background, change dark font colors to a lighter shade.
Images
Google Slides Accessibility Rule How To Fix

Alternative text (alt text) is provided for all non-text content, including Images, Drawings, Elements (arrows, lines, etc.), or Charts.

Alternative text is a textual alternative for an image that makes it easier to connect the image to its context and allows users with visual impairments to perceive the image. Images that do not provide any meaning or content, also known as decorative images, should be identified as such. Images identified as decorative will be skipped over by screen readers so be purposeful when identifying images as decorative.

To add/edit/review alternative text:

  1. Right-click on an image (Shft + F10).
  2. Select Alt Text.
  3. Enter text in the Description field (not the Title field).

Repeat this process for all images throughout the document/presentation.

Images made of many parts are snipped into one single image and includes alternative text.

For images made up of many pieces, screen readers will read each individual piece of the image including lines and arrows, etc.

Making a snip or screenshot of the image will create a single image in which alternative text can be added for the image as a whole.

To use the snipping tool:

  1. Search for Snipping Tool on the computers search bar.
  2. Use the snipping tool to create a single image.
  3. Save the new image and add it to the document.
  4. Delete the pieces that make up the older image.
  5. Add Alt text to the single image.

Contact the Center for Student Access: For complex diagrams, work with the Center for Student Access to create a tactile diagram as an accommodation. This may be the easiest way for the student to understand what is being represented.

Images do not have contrast issues.

Images that contain text with low contrast between the text and its background can cause the text to be difficult to read, especially for those with low vision, poor eyesight or color blindness.

If you have access to an editing program, such as Photoshop: Upload the image into a program to increase the contrast.

If you do not have access to an image editing program:

  1. Open PowerPoint.
  2. Insert the image to a slide.
  3. Under the Picture Format tab, adjust the contrast of the image in the Corrections dropdown menu.
  4. Right-click on the image to save it as a picture.

Images or other multimedia are not prone to induce seizures.

Animated images that contain flashing or contrasting lights or patterns can lead to seizures for people that suffer from photosensitive epilepsy. In addition, animated images with these characteristics can be generally unpleasant to look at, even for those not prone to seizures.

Find an alternative image. Do not use this image.
Titles
Google Slides Accessibility Rule How To Fix

All slides have a title, and slide titles are unique.

Slide titles are presented as a heading to screen reader users, and will be the first thing read on each slide. Unique titles make it much easier for screen reader users to read and navigate a presentation.

Avoid the use of duplicated slide titles as this poses an accessibility issue for those navigating the document using screen reading technologies.

To add a title to a slide:

  1. Select the slide that is in need of a title.
  2. Using the built-in layout options for the chosen presentation theme, select a layout that has the title option.
  3. Enter a title in the title field.
Tables
Google Slides Accessibility Rule How To Fix

Table layouts are structured for easy navigation and proper reading order.

Users rely on the table layout to navigate through the content. Tables must be ordered logically for users to understand and navigate the content. It is important to ensure that the reading order of the table makes sense. Screen reader technologies read tables from left to right, top to bottom, one cell at a time (no repeats).

To test the reading order:

  1. Place your cursor in the first cell of the table.
  2. Press the Tab key repeatedly to navigate through the table.

This will be the reading order that assistive technologies follow.

Table has a simple structure.

Tables should be built using the table tool with no split cells, merged cells, or nesting (table within another table). Users navigate tables via keyboard shortcuts and screen reading technologies, which rely on simple table structures.

Blank spaces in tables to allow for completion are okay as long as the table is formatted as a table with headers.

To remove split cells/ merged cells:

  1. Highlight the split or merged cells.
  2. Right-click to display the menu options.
  3. Select Unmerge or unsplit.

Restructure nested items by: reformatting the content into a simple format: bulleted list, numbered list, etc.

 

Tables specify column header information.

Users rely on the table headings to understand the content that is subsequently read by the screen reader. Also, screen reading technologies often use the table header row to help convey to the user the current cursor location in the table and to provide information that enables the user to navigate the table.

Tables should not be used for layout purposes. If a table does not need headings (the top row or first column does not serve as a label for the data/info underneath/beside) then do not use a table.

Currently, there is not a way to identify header information in Google Slides. Instead, users are encouraged to download and open Google Slides in MS PowerPoint to set the header row.

Table is created using the table tool. Avoid using tabs to mimic tables.

Table data or information must be presented using the table tool. Proper table markups will alert users that a table is present, including the number of rows and columns.

Do not mimic tables by tabbing as this will not alert screen reader users that a table object is present.

To create a table:

  1. Select Insert.
  2. Expand the Table menu.
  3. Select the number of rows and columns needed.
  4. Type or copy/paste the information into the table.

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This page content is offered under a CC Attribution license.