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access-centered presentation design guide

contact courtney wade at courtney@damnsolidarityproject.com

text3

I. contents4typefacefont sizefont weights & stylestext contrast & color

typeface5

access-centered typeface• use typeface with clean, distinguishable letters• sans serif is a largely accessible typeface• arial, calibri, century gothic regular, futura6

typeface to avoid• avoid WordArt• avoid cursive and themed letters• avoid typeface with indistinguishable letters• avoid using more than one font in a presentation7

learn more about typeface• read this article, called “Typefaces and Fonts”• read this article, called “Why hating comic sans is ableist”• read this article, called “A guide to understanding what makes typeface accessible”8

font size9

access-centered font size• use at least 24pt font for main text• make header text at least 20% larger than main text10

font weights & styles11

access-centered weights and styles• use 100% opacity• use ‘regular’ weighted font• use sentence case and lowercase• use bold or *asterisks* for emphasis12

weights and styles to avoid• avoid italics• avoid underlining• avoid block capitals and all-caps • avoid text shadow and glow effects• avoid ‘light’ and ‘heavy’ font weights13

text contrast14

access-centered text contrast• use at least a 7:1 contrast ratio • contrast checker• understanding contrast guidance• use dark grey instead of black text• use a dark font on a light background15

text contrast to avoid• avoid black text on a white background• avoid using light fonts on dark backgrounds• avoid weak contrast between background and text16

text color17

access-centered text color• use only one color in a block of text• use a dark font on a light background• use more than color to communicate information18

text color to avoid• avoid pink, red, and green text• avoid red on green and green on red• avoid using only color to communicate information• avoid using more than one color in one block of text19

formatting20

II. contents21spacing & alignmentheaderscharts & tablesbackground

spacing22

access-centered spacing• use built-in lists• use built-in slide layouts• use one space after periods• use 1.5x font size for line spacing• use built-in line & paragraph spacing• use 2x font size for paragraph spacing23

spacing to avoid• avoid large spacing between words• avoid using two spaces after periods• avoid line spacing beyond 2x font size• read this article for further information: “6 surprising bad practices that hurt dyslexic users”24

alignment25

access-centered alignment• use only 1 column• use left, unjustified alignment• use a line length of 50-60 characters• set wrapping style of non-text elements as “In line with text”26

alignment to avoid• avoid justifying text• avoid center or right alignment• avoid using more than one column• avoid starting a sentence at the end of a line• avoid a line length longer than 60 characters27

slide reading order28

access-centered slide reading order• ensure each slide has a unique title• use (part 2) or (cont.) for duplicate titles• use the accessibility checker to identify any issues• ensure screen readers can read slide elements in order• use a built-in slide layouts to avoid issues with reading order29

charts & tables30

access-centered charts & tables• distinguish table headers• use the Insert tab then Table to insert• use design functions of the presentation software• make sure the Chart Wizard formatting is accessible• use Table Headings and check the Header Row check box31

charts & tables to avoid• avoid merged, split, and empty cells• ensure sufficient white space within the table• avoid using external charts, graphs, or tables• for more information, see the ‘table’ section of this “PowerPoint” article32

backgrounds33

access-centered backgrounds• use a solid background • use a light (off-white, pastel) background34

backgrounds to avoid• avoid using a white background• avoid any distracting backgrounds• patterns• images • gradients35

slide content36This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

III. contents37written contentinformation designimagesvideo content

written content38

access-centered written content• use active voice• use plain language• provide a dictionary of terms• define jargon• define acronyms• define abbreviations39

written content to avoid• avoid using jargon• avoid passive voice• avoid using abbreviations40

information design41

access-centered information design• separate different ideas• use bullets and numbers for organization• use flowcharts and graphics to clearly, visually explain text42

information design to avoid• avoid paragraphs• avoid using text boxes• avoid large amounts of text43

images44

access-centered images• use alt-text for all images• ensure the image has adequate contrast• verbally describe visual content during presentation• use image descriptions for all non-decorative images45

images to avoid• avoid using images without alt text• avoid using images without image descriptions• avoid placing image or chart descriptions in the Notes Panel46

video content47

access-centered video content• ensure that gifs only play once• ensure video content is not distracting• ensure all videos have closed captions• describe video content prior to playing it48

video content to avoid• avoid animation or slide transitions• avoid auto-playing the presentation• if a gif must be used, avoid gifs that loop• avoid videos with any strobing or flashing lights • avoid videos with sudden movements or loud audio49

hyperlinks50

access-centered hyperlinks• use meaningful text for hyperlinks• describe where the hyperlink leads• ensure that the hyperlink has context 51

hyperlinks to avoid• avoid using long hyperlinks• avoid using “click here” or “more info” as link titles• avoid using hyperlink text that does not have meaning52