The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is proud to announce a video series covering a variety of topics on digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology, applicable Federal regulations, and identifying and remediating barriers to access. Whether you are in the educational field or not, these videos have wide ranging coverage for those who want to know: What makes technology accessible for individuals with disabilities? And how can I make my site or platform more accessible?
The Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) holds yearly informational conferences called Accessing Higher Ground. These conferences focus on the implementation and benefits of:
- Accessible media, Universal Design and Assistive Technology in the university, business and public setting
- Legal and policy issues, including ADA and 508 compliance
- The creation of accessible media and information resources, including web pages and library resources. For institutions of higher education there is a strong focus on campus accommodation and policies, alternate format production, Universal Design, and curriculum accessibility.
The Learning/Access Center is pleased to offer access to the 2023 recorded conference sessions on a first come, first served basis. The list of virtual sessions can be viewed here. If you are interested in a user license, please email the Learning/Access at lac@pratt.edu for more information.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the international standard. This site explains how to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities: WCAG 2 Overview
The Pratt Institute Libraries’ and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s (DEI) collaborative Disability Resources LibGuide: Disability Resources
General guidance:
- Use a template with good contrast-dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background.
- Avoid overlaying text on images.
- Use a unique heading for each slide.
- Do not put too much text on your slide.
- Keep font sizes at 28-point or larger.
- Select a simple, easy to read font. Sans serif fonts are usually more readable.
- Add alternative text to images, graphs and charts.
- For complex items, such as charts or graphs, the alt text should provide all of the information that a sighted person has access to visually.If images are purely decorative, mark them as decorative.
Guidance Specific to Microsoft PowerPoint®:
- Use pre-set slide layouts rather than manually adding text boxes.
- Confirm that all text is visible in “Outline View.”
- Be aware that when you crowd your slide with text, Microsoft PowerPoint® will begin shrinking the text to fit. The font size will shrink and the space between text will also be reduced, making slides more difficult to read. To resolve this issue, select the Autofit Options symbol that appears. Then select “Stop fitting text into this placeholder.”
- Run the accessibility checker that is available on the Review Ribbon. This will help you identify any accessibility issues you may have missed.
- To share an accessible digital version of your slides, you can share the PowerPoint file or create an accessible PDF version of your slide deck.
- To create accessible digital versions of your slides, select Save As PDF, rather than Print to PDF.
- Have a plan for sharing the accessible digital versions of your handouts prior to your session.
- Options include emailing them to participants or uploading them to a website and providing a link.
Resources on Creating Accessible MS PowerPoint Presentations:
- Accessible Events Guide: This guide details how to make events on campus accessible.
- Room Reservations: The room reservation guidelines are available on the Registrar page.
- Coursedog: The accessibility status of rooms on campus can be viewed in Coursedog.
Visitors: Security personnel, located at the Main Gate, 200 Willoughby Avenue on the Brooklyn Campus, or the Pratt Manhattan Lobby, are available for assistance with directions, locating accessible routes, or providing any other assistance in navigating the campus grounds.
You may find Public Safety’s contact information and website here.
Pratt Institute’s 504 Coordinator is Elisabeth Sullivan. She can be reached at esulliv5@pratt.edu or (718) 636-3711.