Those who might have cognitive challenges, organizational challenges and those who use assistive technologies (screen readers, Read Write & Gold, Kurzwell, etc) may find a structured document much easier to consume. \u00a0Assistive technologies, in particular, benefit from this practice as doing so allows users to navigate by:<\/p>\n
- \n
- viewing a list of headings<\/li>\n
- reading or jumping through a document by headings<\/li>\n
- choosing document sections by headings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
There are two images below, the one on the left is using a faked heading, one that looks like it’s a heading but really isn’t. \u00a0The one on the right is using a built-in style heading. \u00a0It is visually distinct and semantically distinguishable from a regular “normal” text.<\/p>\n
![\"two](\"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/wordSideBySide.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhat\/How To<\/h2>\n
Use built-in Styles<\/h3>\n
It is a common practice to create a “heading” by changing the text directly in a Word document. We highlight text and apply a different font type, a larger font size, bold formatting, etc. Changing the look using the Font style only changes the look for one item, but if you use a “Style” you can change the look of every<\/em> element in the document.<\/p>\n
The built-in Styles are located in the “Ribbon”.
\n![\"Built-in](\"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/wordRibbon.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAlter style by using the Style Pane<\/h3>\n
If you do not like the look and feel of an element, change it. \u00a0In the “Ribbon” choose “Styles Pane”, then choose “Modify Style”
\n![\"to](\"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WordModifyStyle-300x192.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBonus Benefits:<\/h3>\n
When you are using the built-in styles you get a couple of great bonuses:<\/p>\n
- \n
- change look and feel of elements with a couple of clicks<\/li>\n
- easily create a table of contents for any document<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Last Step – Run the built-in accessibility checker<\/h2>\n
Using this tool will help you identify any issues you might have missed.\u00a0 Microsoft has a very clear and short video on where to find the checker and how to use it<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Troubleshooting<\/h2>\n
The “Ribbon” is located below the horizontal menu.
\n![\"Word](\"https:\/\/blogs.swarthmore.edu\/its\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/WordRibbon2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIf you do not see the “Ribbon”<\/h3>\n
Go to the “View” link at the very top of the Word window, make sure “Ribbon” has a check next to it.<\/p>\n
If you do not see the “Styles” or the “Style Pane”<\/h3>\n
You can also customize the Ribbon<\/a><\/p>\n
Mac:<\/h4>\n
Preferences > Ribbon & Toolbar > Choose\u00a0“Home tab” from the selection\u00a0under “Choose commands from”<\/p>\n
Windows<\/h4>\n
Right-click the Ribbon\u00a0> Customize the Ribbon then<\/p>\n
- \n
- The Word Options dialog box will appear. Locate and select New Tab.<\/li>\n
- Make sure the New Group is selected, select a command, then click Add.<\/li>\n
- When you’re done adding commands, click OK.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Resources<\/h2>\n
Lynda.com has a great course on Creating\u00a0Accessible Documents with Microsoft Office<\/a>. \u00a0The course references an older version of Microsoft Office, but the principles are the same.<\/p>\n
Article from the Journal of Chiropractic Education, Best Practices in Syllabus Writing<\/em>
\nContents of a Learner-Centered Syllabus<\/em>. \u00a0Found this appendix<\/a> helpful for its outline of what to include in a syllabus<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"