1. Headings

Below are examples of headings on the web.

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Headings in Microsoft Word

The location of headings in Microsoft Word.

How to select and modify headings in Microsoft Word (opens new tab)

  1. Color contrast is easy to read

This is an example of poor color contrast. This is an example of easy to read color contrast.

How to change the color of your text in Microsoft Word (opens new tab)

  1. No Images of text

    An image of part of a course syllabus.

  2. Alt Text Example

The alternative text provided is meaningful to the context and it replaces (not describes) the images, charts, graphs, or diagrams. It is succinct, generally between 5 and 15 words, or about 100 characters.

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. While there are rescue organizations bringing in rescued Golden Retrievers from other countries like Turkey and China, purebred Golden Retrievers are difficult to come across in animal shelters and rescue organizations.  Golden Retriever puppies are even harder to come by in these places. A light colored golden retriever puppy is sitting wearing a red plaid bowtie.

Alt text Decision Tree from W3C (opens new tab)

How to add alt text to an image in Microsoft Word (opens new tab)

  1. Include a title/caption and alt text for each table. Microsoft Word will automatically populate the word “Table” with a number and colon after.

Table 11: Produce Inventory 

Item  Quantity 
Oranges  27 
Apples  35 

 

The Title/Caption of the table can be repeated as the table’s alternative text. When the table contains more complex information or abbreviations, more explanation, in the form of a long description, is provided near the table.

How to add a title/caption to a table in Microsoft Word (opens new tab)

How to add alt text to a table in Microsoft Word (opens new tab)

  1. Do not use images of tables.

An excel spreadsheet table taken as a screen shot.

  1. Not a URL (unless it’s to be printed)

A URL is a web address, like http://www.duke.edu.  Unless the document is to be printed, these should not be used.

How to add links to existing words in Microsoft Word (opens new tab)

  1. The slide show has been created using a built-in PowerPoint slide layouts

The location of "Layouts" within Microsoft PowerPoint.

How to locate PowerPoint slide layouts (opens new tab)

  1. The theme should have good contrast and simple backgrounds. Avoid low-contrast slides and ones with busy backgrounds; PowerPoint has some of these.

Simple Background

 A simple, easy to read layout in Microsoft PowerPoint.

Busy Background 

A difficult to read layout in Microsoft PowerPoint.

  1. All content in the slide show appears in the outline view of the show*