April Focus on Document Accessibility

Create Accessible Documents Now and Moving Forward

This April we’re highlighting training and resources on creating accessible documents. This month focuses on helping you create documents that are usable by everyone, every time. If you create and share Google Docs, Words Documents, and other formats, these resources are for you!

Why Document Accessibility?

Digital documents are used and shared across every context at U-M. Course syllabi, meeting minutes, hiring materials, and much more. Document accessibility means using best practices, tools, and workflows, so that you can easily create accessible documents each and every time. And that means your docs can be used by everyone without barriers, including people with disabilities, and people who rely on assistive technology. 

Learn With Us

Join a live session to learn how to create more accessible documents using tools and templates available at U-M.

Workshop: Templates for Accessible Documents

Learn how 3 U-M teams have built accessible document templates (in Word, Google Docs, and beyond), and how to build your own. By designing for real workflows and unit needs, templates can support easy creation of accessible documents going forward. Get inspired to create your own, and get hands-on support to do it in this interactive workshop.

Register for Workshop on Templates for Accessibility Documents

• Session format:
  • 90 minutes interactive workshop
  • Virtual on Zoom
• Date:
  • Tuesday April 14, 1:00-2:30pm
• What to Expect:
  • Learn from U-M teams who have built accessible document templates
  • Apply lessons and brainstorm next steps for your own units and use cases
  • Get expert support and hands-on guidance to leave with a plan and some work already done

Office Hours: Drop in With Your Questions

Get expert support on your own questions. Join our Zoom office hours and hop into a breakout room with accessibility staff for focused work and consultation

• Session Format:

  • Zoom office hours

• Date(s): 

  • Friday April 11, 1:30 - 3:00pm  Zoom (Meeting ID: 935 9909 5960)
  • Friday April 25, 1:30 - 3:00pm  Zoom (Meeting ID: 935 9909 5960) 
     
• What to expect:
  • Bring your question, problem, or work in progress
  • Get expert support and consultation during the meeting
  • Leave with a solution and plan, plus a follow up

Learn on Your Own

Explore tools and step-by-step guidance on how to improve your documents at your own pace. 

• Best Practices for Documents: Learn simple, practical techniques like headings, alt text, and clear structure to improve accessibility of any document
• Document Accessibility (Canvas course): Learn the fundamentals of creating accessible documents using tools and best practices available at U-M.
• Accessible Document Templates: Start with ready-to-use templates from U-M units, designed to help you create accessible documents from the beginning.
• Grackle Docs (Google Docs Accessibility Tool): Use Grackle Docs to check and improve accessibility directly within your Google Docs workflow.
• Document Accessibility Checklist: Follow a step-by-step training guide to build your knowledge and apply accessibility practices in your daily work.

Make Progress

Make small changes to improve document accessibility as you go. Begin anywhere and build on the momentum. Do one (or more) of the following this month:

• Use Heading Styles instead of bold text to structure your document.
• Add Alt Text to your document images.
• Check the color contrast in your documents for readability.
• Adopt or create an accessible template that is well-designed and U-M branded 

Do Your Part

For Faculty and Instructors

• Check your syllabus for accessibility, with Grackle or Microsoft Word, and make improvements
• Add alt text to instructional images
• Use templates to create consistent, accessible materials

For Content Editors and Communicators

• Use accessible templates for reports, newsletters, and materials
• Write descriptive link text (avoid “click here”)
• Ensure proper heading structure for readability
• Build accessibility into your content workflows

For Developers and Technical Teams

• Ensure document outputs from systems are accessible by default
• Provide accessible templates for teams and users
• Support tools like Grackle Docs across units
• Test document accessibility in workflows and integrations
• Partner with content creators to reduce accessibility gaps
   

Focus on the documents you create most often to build accessibility into your workflows now and moving forward.