Lesson 3.2: Creating Accessible Google Docs
Creating accessible Google Docs is similar to creating accessible Word documents, so we will follow the same principles as in Lesson 3.1. To create accessible Google Docs, we will do the following:
- Incorporate the “Simple Ways to Design Accessible Content” from Lesson 2
- Check documents for accessibility using automated tools
- Consider accessible formats for outputting the document
Simple Ways to Design Accessibly
Again, let’s review the simple ways to design accessibly. To design accessibly, we should incorporate:
- Clear font
- Appropriate use of color
- Built-in structure and headings
- Alternative text for images, graphs, and charts
- Clear table structure
- Descriptive hyperlinks
If we incorporate these six simple ways in our document design process, we are halfway to an accessible document. Next, we will learn about accessibility techniques specific to Google Docs.
Watch the following video to learn about creating accessible Google Docs.
Google Doc: Accessible Google Documents Video Transcript
Accessibility Checker for Google Docs
Google Docs does not have a built-in accessibility checker; however, you can use an add-on called Grackle Docs to scan your Google Docs for accessibility. To use Grackle Docs, follow the following steps:
- Instructions for installing the Grackle Docs Add-on
- NOTE: NC State University has purchased the full version of Grackle Docs. To utilize this, make sure to login with you NCSU email account.
You can visit the How It Works page to answer any questions you have about using Grackle Docs. Under the Products tab, this website offers information about similar accessibility checkers for other types of Google Suite products, such as Google Sheets and Google Slides.
Watch the video below to learn how to use Grackle Docs.
Outputting Google Docs Accessibly
Downloading a Google Doc as a PDF (with the full version of Grackle) will provide a tagged document that retains many, if not all, accessibility features from the original Google Doc.
Additional Resources
- Video: Creating Accessible Microsoft Word 2010 Documents: Requirements to Make a Word Document Accessible (6:01) by Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
- Website: Google: Make Your Document of Presentation Accessible by Google
To continue, select the Lesson 3.3 button below.