Also known as slide shows, slide-decks, and PowerPoints, these interactive media also need to be at least accessible and optimally universal, whether being presented to an audience or users engaging directly with them. All of the universal design principles that center around attainability, responsiveness, and cognitive load apply to presentations.
The foundational idea is to create an experience that is similar to an accessible video. Heres what that means:
The core of the things you will say can be pre-typed into each slide and can work as integrated captions. That is, captions that are close to the other visual elements. That way the deaf or hearing impaired viewer does not have to choose between reading and seeing the graphics.
Live captions can be turned on to capture additional things that you will be saying when elaborating or answering questions.
Screen capture from a presentation
Speak deliberately and clearly.
Limit the amount of text and graphics included on each slide
Use a consistent layout
Break the presentation into segments and use headers to reinforce which segment is currently being presented.
Use a mouse highlighter and point to text blocks and graphics as you speak to keep viewers oriented.
Screen capture from a presentation
Describe the informational graphics in a natural way. This will act as integrated audio descriptions, similar to those used in video.
Use large text
Use universal color. Reference the universal color blueprint.
