Tools for Creating Accessible Content
Tools for Creating Accessible Content
Tools and resources can support the creation of accessible digital content. These tools help identify barriers, improve documents and media, and support inclusive learning materials across platforms such as Pressbooks, learning management systems, Word, and PDF workflows.
This chapter introduces tools for accessibility checking, document remediation, multimedia support, and interactive content creation. It also explains how these tools can be used effectively as part of a sustainable and repeatable accessibility workflow.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
- Identify commonly used accessibility tools.
- Explain how accessibility checkers support digital content review.
- Recognize tools used for accessible documents, PDFs, and multimedia.
- Describe how H5P can support accessible interactive learning content.
- Apply accessibility tools within a structured content development workflow.
- Locate general sources of accessibility support, training, and guidance.
Key Terms
- Accessibility checker
- A tool that scans digital content for common accessibility problems and suggests improvements.
- Remediation
- The process of fixing accessibility barriers in digital files such as PDFs, documents, or web content.
- Captioning
- The process of adding synchronized text to video or audio content so spoken information is accessible in text form.
- H5P
- An open-source content creation framework that allows educators and content creators to build, share, and reuse interactive learning activities (such as quizzes, videos, and presentations) directly in web browsers.
- Interactive content
- Digital learning materials that require user interaction, such as quizzes, presentations, timelines, or branching activities.
Accessibility Checking Tools
Accessibility checkers help identify common issues in digital content, including missing alt text, poor heading structure, and insufficient color contrast.
- WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
- A free browser-based tool that evaluates web page accessibility and provides visual feedback about potential issues.
- Editoria11y
- An accessibility checker integrated into Pressbooks that scans content as you create and edit pages.
- Blackboard Ally, Siteimprove and similar platforms
- Enterprise-level tools that provide automated scanning, reporting, and monitoring of accessibility issues across websites.
Accessibility Check
Automated tools can identify many common issues, but they do not replace human review. Always check headings, alt text, link meaning, keyboard navigation, and content clarity manually.
Document Accessibility Tools
Microsoft Word includes a built-in accessibility checker for reviewing document accessibility.
Microsoft Word 2013–2019 logo by Microsoft, via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.
- Microsoft Office Accessibility Checker: Built into Word, PowerPoint, and Excel to identify and fix accessibility issues.
- Adobe Acrobat Pro: Used to create and remediate accessible PDF files, including tagging and reading order.
- Google Workspace accessibility features: Tools for creating accessible documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.
Video and Multimedia Tools
Accessible multimedia ensures that audio and visual content can be understood by all learners, including those who rely on captions or transcripts.
- YouTube Studio: Provides automatic captioning with editing tools. Captions should always be reviewed and corrected.
- Professional captioning services (e.g., 3Play Media): Offer higher accuracy for captions and transcripts.
- Screen recording and editing tools (e.g., Camtasia): Support captioning and accessible video production.
- Video platforms (e.g., Canvas Studio, Kaltura, or similar systems): Provide hosting and accessibility features depending on implementation.
Instructor Tip
Auto-generated captions are only a starting point. Always review captions for accuracy, punctuation, speaker identification, and discipline-specific vocabulary.
H5P Content Creation
H5P can be used within platforms like Pressbooks and learning management systems to create interactive learning materials such as:
- Interactive presentations
- Quizzes and knowledge checks
- Interactive videos with captions
- Timelines and branching scenarios
- Drag-and-drop activities (when accessible versions are available)
When using H5P, ensure content follows accessibility best practices, including keyboard navigation, clear instructions, and meaningful alt text for images.
Using These Tools in a Workflow
Accessibility is most effective when tools are used as part of a consistent workflow rather than as a final check.
- Draft or upload content with structure in mind.
- Run an accessibility checker early.
- Revise headings, links, images, tables, and media.
- Conduct manual review for usability and clarity.
- Publish and continue monitoring for improvements.
Workflow Checklist
- Use clear structure and headings from the start.
- Run accessibility checks early and often.
- Fix issues before publishing.
- Test content manually, including keyboard navigation.
- Review and improve content over time.
Getting Support
Accessibility support is available through a variety of sources depending on your context. These may include:
- Institutional teaching and learning centers
- Accessibility or disability services offices
- Instructional design teams
- Online accessibility communities and professional organizations
- Documentation and training resources from tool providers
Even when formal support is limited, many accessibility improvements can be made by applying WCAG principles, using built-in tools, and engaging in ongoing learning.
Chapter Summary
A variety of tools support accessible content creation, including accessibility checkers, document tools, multimedia platforms, and interactive content systems. These tools are most effective when used as part of a consistent workflow that includes both automated checks and manual review. Accessibility work is ongoing and improves over time with practice and reflection.
Key Takeaways
- Accessibility checkers help identify common issues but do not replace human review.
- Document and PDF tools support accessible file creation and remediation.
- Multimedia tools support captions and transcripts for inclusive access.
- H5P can support interactive learning when designed with accessibility in mind.
- Accessibility tools are most effective when used within a structured workflow.
Review Questions
- What is the purpose of an accessibility checker?
- Why are automated tools not sufficient on their own?
- What tools can be used to improve document accessibility?
- How do captions and transcripts improve access to multimedia?
- Why is a workflow important in accessibility work?
Practice Activity
Choose one piece of digital content you have created (such as a document, webpage, or video). Identify which accessibility tools could improve that content. Then list three specific accessibility checks you would complete before publishing.
Further Reading
Licenses and Attribution
CC Licensed Content, Original
This educational material includes AI-generated content from ChatGPT by OpenAI. The original content created by Josh Hill, Neida Abraham, and Emiliana Olavarrieta from Hillsborough College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
All images in this textbook generated with DALL·E are licensed under the terms provided by OpenAI, allowing their use, modification, and distribution with appropriate attribution.
Other Licensed Content
How To Make Your Canvas Pages Super Accessible!
Angie Teaches Canvas
License: Standard YouTube License.
Microsoft Word 2013–2019 logo by Microsoft, via Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.
