Accessibility Updates
Dec. 9, 2025
Use new templates to help ensure digital accessibility
As UT Southwestern works to meet updated federal digital accessibility standards, it is essential that all content we create, revise, or update is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities and impairments.
To help you create your documents with accessibility in mind, the UTSW Brand team has put together accessible PowerPoint and Word templates. Additionally, more information is available on the Digital Accessibility homepage.
Nov. 17, 2025
Digital accessibility starts with the ‘Check Accessibility’ tool
UT Southwestern is preparing to meet new federal digital accessibility standards, and it is essential that all content we create, revise, or update is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities and impairments.
For Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint), use the built-in Check Accessibility tool to find and resolve accessibility issues in your content. The tool saves time by quickly identifying issues and providing actionable recommendations to help ensure documents, emails, and presentations meet accessibility standards.
Note that using the tool alone is not sufficient to guarantee accessibility. Documents must also be thoroughly checked against the accessibility guidelines for content creators.
Where to find the Check Accessibility tool
- Word and PowerPoint: in the toolbar under “Review”
- Outlook (MacOS): in the “Edit” pulldown menu
- Outlook (Windows): depending on version, in the toolbar under “Message” or “Review”