Creating an Accessible Word Document

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Date
2004Author
Georgia Institute of Technology. Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access
Georgia Tech Research on Accessible Distance Education (GRADE)
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Microsoft Word is one of the most widely used word processing programs for both
home and office use. In distance education, Microsoft Word documents are commonly
used to transmit information to students. Faculty members at institutions of higher
learning routinely use Microsoft Word to manipulate digital text, but Word documents can
also be used to deliver images, movies, charts, graphs, and other information.
Because Word is part of the powerful Microsoft Office group of programs, faculty
members often use it to structure other types of documents, such as HTML web pages,
PowerPoint presentations and Adobe Acrobat files. However, when instructors use Word
to create documents, they should be aware of the common accessibility problems that
students with disabilities may encounter in reading those documents.
Educators that use the accessibility features within Word can create course materials
usable to the greatest number of students without the need to revisit and retrofit for
specific student disabilities afterwards.