Get familiar with the Microsoft Accessibility Checker [official guide].
Use it as a guide when designing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Files.

• Check templates for accessibility features, even ones marked as accessible-ready.
• Use heading styles (h1 through h6) rather than just formatting text to appear larger/bolder.
• Format lists using bullets and/or numbered styles. Avoid pseudo lists.
• Embed hyperlinks in descriptive, purposeful text. Avoid generic text like “click here.”
• Add a Title to document properties metadata (different from file name).
• Add alt text to all graphics.
• Avoid layout tables. Ensure that tables show relationships between data.
• Avoid complex tables with merged and nested cells.
• Use table headers.
• Ensure there is sufficient color contrast between foreground and background, especially with text.
• Use standard sans serif fonts like Verdana, Calibri, and Arial to maximize readability.
• Use line spacing that is 1.5 times

Word Resources

• Microsoft Word Accessibility Essentials, recorded workshop video [video]
• Make Word Documents Accessible, Microsoft official [guide]
• Creating Accessible Word Documents [article]