The golden rule from this course

If a piece of information could be inaccessible to someone, always convey that information in a second format.

Remember that people with various kinds of disabilities might be using your document. So make your document accessible to them by including information in formats that they will be able to understand.

Accessibility Wizard

A user can set up individual display choices, through the Accessibility Wizard. Start menu, All Programs, Accessories.

Vision disabilities

Use alternative text on all graphics.

Use a reasonable font size. Minimum of 10 point.

Separate columns with a wide blank space.

Design tables so that they read sensibly line by line.

Use a high contrast color scheme. Black text on white is ideal.

Never put two colors of similar contrast next to each other.

Name hyperlinks sensibly. For example, do not use "to see more information check out this Link" or "Click here."

Hearing disabilities

Include any information conveyed by sound in text format as well.

Mobility disabilities

Remember that some people do not use a keyboard and/or mouse. Make sure your Web document is navigable by both keyboard and keyboard equivalent.

Position hyperlinks so that it is easy to get to the most important ones. Put the most important first.

Cognitive disabilities

Avoid dense paragraphs of text. Use lots of white space.

Use bulleted lists to simplify paragraphs.

Use short and simple sentences.

Avoid 'busy' screens. Space information out, so that there isn't too much in a small area.

Avoid animated text that can make the words harder to read.

Seizure disabilities

Avoid flashing or blinking elements in your documents.

More information

You can get a lot more information about computers and accessibility from the Microsoft accessibility Web site.

The World Wide Web Consortium has an initiative to make the Internet more accessible. For more information see the World Wide Web Consortium Web site.