Good design is inclusive design.

Digital accessibility design is about making thoughtful choices that help everyone engage with the content we create. As we approach Title II compliance deadlines in 2026 and 2027, understanding WCAG 2.1 AA becomes part of how we lead, teach, and communicate responsibly. In this session, you will focus on practical strategies you can apply immediately.

Accessibility benefits everyone! 

Practice Documents

Use this practice document to apply the digital accessibility concepts introduced in today’s session. You can work through it during the webinar or return to it afterward to continue building your skills.

The document includes guided opportunities to practice using heading styles, writing meaningful alt text, selecting readable fonts, and checking color contrast. Choose the format that works best for you, Google Docs or Microsoft Word, and begin making small, intentional improvements.

Accessibility improves with practice. Start with one change and build from there.

Choosing Readable Fonts

Fonts influence how easily people can read and understand your content. Decorative, compressed, or overly stylized fonts can create unnecessary barriers, especially for individuals with dyslexia, low vision, or cognitive disabilities.

Choose clean, readable fonts and use appropriate sizing to support clarity across devices and screen sizes. Consistent font choices and thoughtful formatting help ensure your message is accessible to a wider audience.

Small adjustments to font style and size can significantly improve readability for everyone.

Color Contrast Tools

Use the tools below to check whether your text and background colors meet WCAG 2.1 AA contrast requirements. You can enter hex color codes directly or use the eyedropper tool within the checker to select colors from your document or slide. The tool will calculate the contrast ratio and indicate whether it passes.

Small adjustments to color can make a meaningful difference in clarity and access.

Default Heading Structure

Headings are not just for making text bigger or bold. They create structure that helps readers navigate your content and allows screen readers to understand how information is organized.

Use built-in heading styles, such as Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading 3, to organize sections in a logical order. This creates a clear hierarchy and makes your document easier to scan, navigate, and understand.

Use the buttons below for step-by-step directions on setting and customizing default heading styles in Google Docs or Microsoft Word.

Alt Text for Images

Alternative text, or alt text, provides a brief description of an image so that people using screen readers can understand its purpose and content. Without alt text, important information may be missed. Effective alt text is concise and focuses on the meaning or purpose of the image in context. Ask yourself: What does someone need to know about this image to understand the content?

Use the tools below for guidance on writing alt text.

Sharing Clear, Meaningful Links

Links should clearly describe where they lead. Avoid vague phrases like “click here” or “read more,” especially when multiple links appear on the same page. Screen reader users often navigate by links alone, so the link text needs to stand on its own.

Write link text that is specific and descriptive, so readers understand the destination before selecting it. Clear links improve navigation, reduce confusion, and make your content more usable for everyone.

Thoughtful link wording is a small change that makes a big difference in access.

Additional Resources

Session Faciliator