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Quick Reference Cards

Print-friendly cheat sheets for your desk or wall.

About these cards

Keep these quick reference cards at your desk for easy access to accessibility best practices. Each card covers a specific topic and fits on one printed page.

πŸ–¨οΈ Print options

Print individual cards or the entire collection.

πŸ–¨οΈ Print all cards

Tip: Use your browser's print dialog to select specific pages or save as PDF.

πŸ“„ Microsoft Word Accessibility Checklist

Run Accessibility Checker: Review β†’ Check Accessibility

  • Headings: Use built-in Heading styles (Home β†’ Styles), not bold text
  • Alt text: Right-click images β†’ Edit Alt Text β†’ Write description
  • Links: Use descriptive text, not "click here" (Ctrl+K to edit)
  • Lists: Use built-in bullet/number lists, not manual dashes
  • Tables: Use Insert β†’ Table; check "Header row" in Table Design
  • Color: Don't use color alone to convey meaning; check contrast
  • Language: Review β†’ Language β†’ Set Proofing Language
  • Reading order: Selection Pane shows order (Home β†’ Select β†’ Selection Pane)

Export to PDF: File β†’ Export β†’ Create PDF/XPS β†’ Options β†’ βœ“ Document structure tags for accessibility

Open Microsoft Word Accessibility Checklist PDF

πŸ“Š PowerPoint Accessibility Checklist

Run Accessibility Checker: Review β†’ Check Accessibility

  • Slide titles: Every slide needs a unique title (use Layout with title placeholder)
  • Reading order: Home β†’ Arrange β†’ Selection Pane β†’ Drag to reorder
  • Alt text: Right-click images/charts β†’ Edit Alt Text
  • Links: Insert β†’ Link β†’ Display text (make it descriptive)
  • Tables: Simple tables only; use "Header Row" in Table Design
  • Color contrast: 4.5:1 for text; avoid red/green combinations
  • Animations: Keep simple; avoid auto-advance; no flashing
  • Videos: Add captions (Insert β†’ Video β†’ right-click β†’ Insert Captions)

Share as PDF: File β†’ Export β†’ Create PDF/XPS β†’ Options β†’ βœ“ Document structure tags

Open PowerPoint Accessibility Checklist PDF

⌨️ Essential Keyboard Navigation

Test every interactive element with these keys:

KeyAction
TabMove to next interactive element
Shift + TabMove to previous interactive element
EnterActivate link or button
SpaceActivate button, toggle checkbox, scroll page
EscapeClose modal/dialog, cancel action
↑ ↓Navigate within menus, radio groups, select boxes
← β†’Navigate tabs, sliders, tree items
Home / EndJump to first/last item in list

βœ“ Pass: Focus visible, logical order, no traps, all features accessible

βœ— Fail: Can't reach element, can't escape, focus invisible, wrong order

Open Essential Keyboard Navigation PDF

πŸ–ΌοΈ Alt Text Quick Guide

Image typeAlt text approach
InformativeDescribe the content and purpose. "Student studying in library with laptop"
DecorativeMark as decorative or use alt="" (empty). Don't describe.
Functional (button/link)Describe the action. "Search", "Submit form", "Go to homepage"
Chart/GraphSummarize the data and trend. Provide data table nearby.
Complex (diagram)Brief alt + link to full description or long description nearby.
Text in imageInclude all visible text. Better: use real text instead.
Logo"University of Arizona logo" or just "University of Arizona"

Tips:

  • Be concise (usually under 125 characters)
  • Don't start with "Image of..." or "Picture of..."
  • Context mattersβ€”same image may need different alt text in different places

Open Alt Text Quick Guide PDF

🎨 Color Contrast Requirements

Content typeMinimum ratioWCAG criterion
Normal text (<18pt or <14pt bold)4.5:11.4.3 AA
Large text (β‰₯18pt or β‰₯14pt bold)3:11.4.3 AA
UI components, graphics3:11.4.11 AA
Focus indicators3:11.4.11 AA
Enhanced (AAA) normal text7:11.4.6 AAA

Quick test tools:

Remember: Never use color alone to convey information!

Open Color Contrast Requirements PDF

πŸ“‹ WCAG 2.2 POUR Principles

PrincipleKey questions
PerceivableCan users see or hear the content?
β€’ Alt text for images?
β€’ Captions for video?
β€’ Sufficient contrast?
OperableCan users interact with everything?
β€’ Keyboard accessible?
β€’ No time limits?
β€’ Clear navigation?
UnderstandableCan users comprehend content and UI?
β€’ Clear language?
β€’ Consistent navigation?
β€’ Helpful error messages?
RobustDoes it work with assistive technology?
β€’ Valid HTML?
β€’ Proper ARIA usage?
β€’ Tested with screen readers?

Target: WCAG 2.2 Level AA | Deadline: April 24, 2026

Open WCAG 2.2 POUR Principles PDF

πŸ” 5-Minute Accessibility Audit

  • Tab through the page β€” Can you reach everything? Is focus visible?
  • Zoom to 200% β€” Does content reflow without horizontal scrolling?
  • Check headings β€” Run WAVE or axe; is there a logical H1β†’H2β†’H3 structure?
  • View without images β€” Are alt texts meaningful? Is info still clear?
  • Test one form β€” Are labels connected? Do errors identify the problem?
  • Play any video β€” Are captions available and accurate?
  • Check links β€” Do link texts make sense out of context? (No "click here")
  • Try high contrast β€” Does the page still work in Windows High Contrast mode?

Found issues? Log them and prioritize by user impact.

Need help? accessibility@arizona.edu

Open 5-Minute Accessibility Audit PDF

βœ‰οΈ Accessible Email Checklist (Outlook)

  • Subject line: Clear and descriptive (not "Newsletter" alone)
  • Headings: Use Format Text β†’ Styles (not just bold text)
  • Images: Right-click β†’ Edit Alt Text (or mark decorative)
  • Links: Descriptive text, not bare URLs or "click here"
  • Lists: Use built-in bullet/numbered lists
  • Tables: Simple structure only; use for data, not layout
  • Color: Don't rely on color alone; maintain contrast
  • Attachments: Include accessible versions; mention format in email
  • Plain text: Provide plain text alternative for complex HTML emails
  • Test: Send yourself a test; check in different email clients

Run check: Options β†’ Check Accessibility (before sending)

Open Accessible Email Checklist PDF

🎬 Video & Media Accessibility

Content typeRequirements
Pre-recorded videoCaptions (synchronized text for dialogue + sounds)
Pre-recorded audioTranscript (text version of all audio content)
Live video/audioLive captions (CART) for real-time events
Visual-only contentAudio description or text description

Caption quality targets:

  • 99%+ accuracy for educational content
  • Speaker identification for multiple speakers
  • Sound effects noted: [applause], [music playing]
  • Synchronized within 2-3 seconds of audio

Tools: Panopto (auto-caption + edit), YouTube Studio, Rev.com

Open Video & Media Accessibility PDF

πŸ”Š Screen Reader Quick Start

PlatformScreen readerStart/Stop
Windows (free)NVDACtrl+Alt+N / Insert+Q
Windows (built-in)NarratorWin+Ctrl+Enter
MacVoiceOverCmd+F5
iPhone/iPadVoiceOverSettings β†’ Accessibility β†’ VoiceOver (or triple-click home/side)
AndroidTalkBackSettings β†’ Accessibility β†’ TalkBack

Basic NVDA commands:

  • ↓ Next item
  • H Next heading
  • K Next link
  • F Next form field
  • T Next table
  • D Next landmark

Open Screen Reader Quick Start PDF

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