Top Story...
Accessibility in Minutes: Free Tools Every Adult Educator Can Use Today
Posted on 09/10/2026
-
Check Color Contrast
The WebAIM Contrast Checker helps determine whether text is readable against a background color. Simply enter or select colors to see if they meet accessibility standards. For normal-sized text, WCAG recommends a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.
Use it for:
- PowerPoint slides
- Flyers and handouts
- Website graphics
-
Scan a Webpage in Seconds
The WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool is a free browser extension that identifies common accessibility issues, including:
- Missing image descriptions (alt text)
- Heading structure problems
- Color contrast issues
- Form errors
WAVE works directly in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
-
Use Microsoft's Built-In Accessibility Checker
If you use Word, PowerPoint, Excel, or Outlook, accessibility support is already available. The Microsoft Accessibility Checker scans files for issues such as:
- Missing alt text
- Reading-order problems
- Table formatting concerns
To access it:
- Open your file
- Select Review
- Click Check Accessibility
-
Try a Keyboard Test
A quick accessibility hack is to navigate a webpage using only the Tab key.
Ask yourself:
- Can every button be reached?
- Can menus be opened?
- Is the cursor focus visible?
Keyboard access is an important part of accessibility testing.
-
Listen with a Screen Reader
Web accessibility experts recommend testing content with a real screen reader, such as:
- NVDA (Windows)
- VoiceOver (Mac)
Even a five-minute test can reveal missing image descriptions, confusing headings, or navigation problems.
Why It Matters
A few simple accessibility checks can help ensure that all adult learners can access and engage with digital content, regardless of ability or device.
Sources
WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
Microsoft Accessibility Checker
WebAIM Screen Reader Resources
