Presentations

Accessibility Settings

Users need to turn on Accessibility Settings under "Tools" to use assistive technologies with Google Slides:  How to Turn On Accessibility Settings

• In top menu, select “Tools” → “Accessibility settings”

• Check off all options except “Turn on collaborator announcements” (this is only needed if one of the presentation creators uses a screen reader)

Master Slide Templates

Master slide templates have some built-in accessibility. Specifically, the text boxes are coded to indicate headings and body text, and background images are ignored by screen readers. 

• Use a Master Slide template and choose slide layouts from those available in the template rather than adding text boxes to a blank slide

• To find and load a slide template, go to “File → New → From template” to access the U-M template library or go to “Slide → Change theme” to access templates from Google

• To select a layout for a  specific slide, go to "Slide → Apply layout" or select the drop-down next to the "New Slide" plus at the top of the slide thumbnails.

• To edit a Master Slide template, “View → Theme builder” or “Slide → Edit theme” (start with the basic "Blank" template from Google to avoid editing a theme used by others)

Headings

Headings help everyone navigate slides allow users of adaptive technologies to scan the list of slide titles. In Google Slides, the slide title is the only heading level. All other text is read as body test.

• Use the title box on the slide layout for your slide heading. 

• Use a unique heading for each slide. If multiple slides cover content on the same topic, consider adding numbers (e.g. “Slide Headings 1” or “Slide Headings: Part 1”) or terms like “continued” so people can differentiate and perceive the order. 

Background Images

• Embed background images in the master slides. When embedded, backgrounds are ignored by screen readers and don't require alt text.

• Keep backgrounds simple. Avoid putting text on top of photos or other complex images. 

• Use the WebAIM Contrast Checker to ensure background and text colors are significantly different from each other (look for the green "Pass" label").

Foreground Images

• Include alt text following the best practices outlined in Images

• To add alt text, right-click image, select “Alt text”, and briefly describe the important content of the image in the “Description” field 

Reading Order

Slide components in Google Slides are read from back to front when using a screen reader

• To determine the reading order, click to the side of the slide (deselect all content). Use the tab button on your keyboard to “tab through” the content blocks. The order in which they are highlighted is the order in which they will be read.

• To reorder, select a content block, then:

  • Right-click, select “Order” from the menu, and move each block forward or backward until your tab order is correct; or,

  • Select “Arrange” in the top menu, then “Order”, and move each block forward or backward until your tab order is correct.

  • If you have a lot of content blocks this process can be tedious. Learning the keyboard shortcuts to reorder blocks can make things faster (listed under the “Order” drop-down menu).

Slide Transitions and Animations

• Avoid using visual slide transitions (appearing on click is fine).

• Avoid using GIFs or other animations that blink or flash.

• Set animations to stop after 5 seconds or after looping, or given users a way to pause the animation.

• Include alt text for GIFs and other animations.

Fonts

Certain fonts are easier to read, especially for those with reading-related disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and/or impaired vision. These fonts have letters that are distinct from one another, have a standard width/height, and have few artistic embellishments. 

• Use inaccessible fonts sparingly, and only be used for headings/titles, not body text. 

• Minimize use of italics and all-caps text. Use bold for emphasis instead. 

• Aim to have fonts be at least 24 pt if slides will be presented in person

Hyperlinks

People who use screen readers need links to be properly designated and link text describes what the link redirects to. Underlining is the only universal way to mark hyperlinks for sighted users, because color blind users may not be able to differentiate between two colors of text.

• Only underline hyperlinked text. For emphasis, use bolded text instead.

• Use readable text for links instead of long URLs.

• Make link text describe what is being linked to and avoid uninformative link phrases such as "click", "here", and "more".

• Stage should be ramp-accessible. Podiums should be height-adjustable.

• People should not have to twist to see the presenter, screen, or podium.

• Leave space at the back of the space for standing, stretching, and movement.

• Allow people with mobility devices and those who are Blind or Deaf to choose where they sit. Move or relocate seats as needed.

• Ensure 4 - 6 feet between chairs, walls, etc., to create space for mobility devices. At corners and near doorways leave at least 5 feet of space as a turning radius.

• Prop open doors without impeding pathways or have someone available to assist with opening doors.