To save this webpage as a printable checklist, follow the instructions in your web browser to print it.
Google Docs
___ Document language: Set the primary language for the Google Doc.
___ Descriptive title: A Google Docs file needs a descriptive title.
___ Reading order: Menu navigation and reading order is logical and can be navigated with a keyboard.
___ Structure: Provide document structure with semantic headings, paragraphs, lists and data tables.
___ Headings: Ensure headings are descriptive and concise. Use heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) to structure the document. Organize headings in a logical order; avoid skipping levels (e.g., from 1 to 3). For long documents, Create a Table of Contents based on the heading structure.
___ Navigation landmarks: Headers and footers can help your readers find where they are in your document.
___ Links: Hyperlinks use meaningful descriptive link text that clearly indicates the destination of the link. Avoid generic phrases like “click here” or “learn more.” Ensure hyperlinks are visually distinct from surrounding text (e.g., underlined and in a different color).
___ Tables: Use tables only for data, not layout. Designate column and row scope to associate header cells with data cells. Ensure tables have clear header rows. Avoid merged or split cells. If a table spans multiple pages, repeat header rows. Avoid wrapping text within table cells.
___ Multiple columns: Using the tab key or the spacebar to create the visual appearance of multiple text columns can create problems for screen readers accessing the text in the proper reading order. They may jump across columns reading text left-to-right instead of reading down an entire column before moving to the next column. To avoid this problem make sure to use the Columns formatting tool in Google Docs.
___ Forms: Ensure that form fields have clear labels, descriptive tooltips, error messages, descriptive instructions and follow a logical tab order.
___ Lists: Use lists to make content easier to read by providing visual structure and highlighting key points. Avoid using nested lists.
___ Check text size and alignment: To make your document or presentation easy to read, use large, left-aligned text when possible.
___ Font and font size: Use a clear, simple font like Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman with body text font size of 12 points or larger. Avoid using ALL CAPS, italics, or underlining for large blocks of text.
___ Line spacing: Use adequate line spacing (e.g., 1.15 or 1.5).
___ Paragraph spacing: Use spacing to separate paragraphs; avoid using multiple spaces or tabs for indentation.
___ Color: Do not rely on color alone to convey important information.
___ Color contrast: Use a color contrast analyzer tool to ensure WCAG 2.1 Level AA sufficient contrast:
___ Images: Provide clear and concise descriptive alternative text ("alt text") for all meaningful images
(120 characters or less). Provide long descriptions for complex images. None for decorative images.
Nest images in line with the text.___ Charts and graphs: Need to be positioned inline with text. Must have both alt text and a detailed long description.
___ Math and equations: Avoid using the Google Docs built-in equation editor. Provide text descriptions if math and equations are not accessible.
___ Audio-only files: Should have closed captions and transcript.
___ Video with audio files: Should have closed captions, a transcript and audio descriptions if needed.
___ Grackle for Google: An accessibility checker for Google Apps that simplifies the process of making presentations accessible to all users. Has automated checks and guided corrections.
___ Aims has purchased Grackle for Google to create accessible resources for Google apps. This includes Docs, Slides and Sheets. Here are video instructions for how to enable Grackle from within each Google app.
___ Manual testing: After using this checklist to update a Google Docs file, I have done manual testing for keyboard navigation, and with a screen reader (if I have been trained to use NVDA for PC, or VoiceOver for Mac).