Creating Accessible Google Slides

When creating accessible Google Slides, a factor to keep in mind is the order of elements on an individual slide. For those using a screen reader, it is important that slide elements are placed in the correct order as an audience is meant to read them in much the same was as headings are used on Google or Microsoft Word documents.

Grackle Slides for Google Slides

Once you have completed your slide document, run the Google Slides add-on, Grackle Slides. Grackle Slides is an add-on that helps you create more accessible Google Slides. It can check your document for accessibility issues and advise you how to make things better.

Slide Reading Order

  1. Use the Tab key to move through the slide to see the order of elements.
  2. To rearrange the order of slide elements, select the element you want to reorder.
  3. Go to the Arrange menu and then click on Order. Elements that are at the back will have a higher reading order. Elements in the front will have a lower reading order.
  4. Keep testing the reading order by using the Tab key until the slide reads in a logical manner.  

Alt Text for Images

  1. Insert an image onto a slide.
  2. Select the image by clicking on it.
  3. In the Format menu, choose Alt text.
  4. Write a description for the image.

Additional Accessibility Tips

  1. When listing a number of items on a slide, always use the Lists option in the Format menu.
  2. When including links on a slide, write text that describes where the link will take the user, and then embed the link in the text.
  3. Use colors that contrast well (Use the Colour Contrast Analyzer Tool to find out if the colors meet objective accessibility standards).
  4. Make sure the text and headings strongly contrast from the background.
  5. Verify that everything is still easy to understand if printed from a black and white printer.