Creating an Accessible Word Document

Abstract

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.