Creating Accessible Presentations
,the Joint Information Systems Committee.
Introduction
The TechDis Accessibility Essentials Guide on creating and delivering accessible presentations with Microsoft® PowerPoint has been designed to provide step-by-step information to enable anyone creating presentations with Microsoft® PowerPoint to do so in a more accessible manner. These hints and tips will benefit all who create and deliver presentations using Microsoft® PowerPoint, including those who write presentations for face-to-face delivery or for electronic delivery (e.g. via online presentations or from a website).
The use of the techniques described here will enable people with a wide range of disabilities to get more from written or delivered content, by highlighting alternatives for conveying the information. The techniques described will have benefits (and possibly barriers) for different groups of learners, it is important to consider the needs of the specific learners and adapt the materials as necessary.
- Using Microsoft® PowerPoint Accessibly within Teaching and LearningThis section examines how Microsoft® PowerPoint can be used to support learning and also how the techniques described can be best used within different teaching and learning environments.
- Implementing Inclusive PracticeThis section contains the majority of the guides and techniques for implementing inclusive practice. It is divided into three sub-sections:
- Basic Good Practice for Accessibility within Microsoft® PowerPointGuidance provided within this section covers the basic techniques which should be used irrespective of the learning environment the presentation is designed for.
- Creating Interactivity and Multimedia Content within Microsoft® PowerPointThis section contains information on the interactivities which can be added to a presentation. Information covers the use of hyperlinks, text boxes, action settings and the creation and insertion audio and video content.
- Creating Transitions and Animations within Microsoft® PowerPointCustom animation schemes can be used to great effect within a presentation to exemplify a concept or sequentially provide information for the learners. This section provides guidance on how to effectively and appropriately utilise transitions and animations.
- Delivering Presentations InclusivelyThis section covers the techniques which should be considered when delivering a Microsoft® PowerPoint presentation to an audience. This section also covers the tools which can be utilised by a presenter during the presentation.
- Good Practice in Providing Alternative Outputs to Support AccessibilityA presentation can be converted into a number of alternative formats e.g. Microsoft® Word, a single page web page, or simply in hard copy. This section covers the techniques (and accessibility benefits) of the alternative outputs.