M365 Outlook (Windows) Accessibility Feature Overview

The Microsoft Office team is dedicated to making Office products more available to people with disabilities and to help everyone create content that's more accessible. Learn more from Microsoft about features that make it easier to see, hear, and use your computer, by visiting the Microsoft Accessibility website at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility.

Adding Alt Text to objects

The location to add alt text has changed slightly in Office. It used to be in the Format Object dialog box in Office 2010, but in Office it is now in the Format Object task pane.

Ribbon customization

A great way to help reduce the complexity of the ribbon is to customize the ribbon to be the way you want it. You can customize the ribbon by clicking File > Options > Customize Ribbon.

Customize ribbon

 

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Accessibility Checker

The Accessibility Checker for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint helps you create more accessible content. Similar to how the spell checker lets you know about spelling mistakes, the Accessibility Checker lets you know about certain accessibility issues that might keep someone with a disability from reading your content.

Learn more from Microsoft about the Accessibility Checker at Check for accessibility issues.

 

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Alt keys in Office

Access (Alt) keys, also known as KeyTips when used in the ribbon, allow you to get to commands on the ribbon in two to four keystrokes.

  1. Press and release the Alt key.

KeyTips appear in the ribbon.

  1. Press the letter that corresponds to the feature you want to use.

 Tip  Press the Alt key a second time to stop seeing the KeyTips.

To find more about keyboard shortcuts, search on Microsoft Office support homepage for keyboard shortcuts.

 

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Windows and Office Features

Access Center

Make your computer easier to use by pressing the Windows logo key + U to get to the Access Center. In the Access Center, you can see how to use features like Narrator or Magnifier.

Narrator

Starting with the new version of Office and Windows 8, Office now works with Narrator. Unfortunately, the programs in the new version of Office continue to have problems when using Narrator on Windows 7.

Magnifier

Magnifier enlarges portions of your screen. Choose between three different modes by clicking Views on the Magnifier toolbar.

Anytime and any location press Windows logo key + + (plus sign) to zoom in and press Windows logo key + - (minus sign) to zoom out.

High Contrast

Help to reduce eye strain by changing the color contrast.

 

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Windows high DPI (dots per inch)

Make text and icons larger without adjusting your monitor resolution by changing the DPI scale. Click Control Panel, and type display into search box. Then click Display, and select a preset size or enter a customize size. The change takes place the next time you log into Windows.

Display size

 

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Windows Speech Recognition

To use Windows to dictate text and to control your computer by just saying what you see, click Control Panel, and type speech in the search box. Then click Windows Speech Recognition. After its configured, start it by saying Start listening.

 Tip  Use a USB headset to improve the accuracy of the recognition and also so your coworkers know you are using speech.

Speech customization

 

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Office and Edge

To see text and graphics more easily, press Ctrl + + (plus sign) to zoom in or Ctrl + - (minus sign) to zoom out. Each press increase or decreases the size by 25%.

Press Ctrl + 0 (zero) to return to your regular set size.

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Keywords:
microsoft office365 event appointment schedule scheduling calendars email contacts tasks people o365 accessibility accessible features o365 m365 ada 
Doc ID:
59515
Owned by:
Help Desk K. in UW-Milwaukee Help Desk
Created:
2016-01-08
Updated:
2024-04-03
Sites:
UW-Milwaukee Help Desk