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How to create accessible Google Slides presentations

Accessible Google Slides ensures that people with visual, hearing, or cognitive disabilities can engage with your content. Follow the steps below to learn how to create an accessible Google Slides.

Preliminary considerations for Google Slides accessibility

Accessibility for Google Slides starts before you open the software. Google Slides shares many accessibility principles with PowerPoint, but the tools and menus are different. Because Google Slides is entirely browser-based, it relies heavily on how the browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.) interprets the page. These preliminary questions help you decide if a slide deck is the right tool and how to prepare for a successful delivery.

  • Does it have to be a Google Slides?
    • For Meetings: If the goal is a collaborative discussion, a shared Word/Google Doc with clear headings is often more accessible and easier.
    • For Training/Reference: If the deck is intended to be a “handout,” consider a web page.
    • For Data/Charts: If the deck is just a container for complex tables, an accessible Excel sheet is superior, as it allows users to sort and filter data.
  • Source Document Integrity:
    • Avoid “Start from Scratch”: If you are converting a Word document into a slideshow, don’t copy-paste text into random boxes. Use the Outline feature in Google Slides to import the Word hierarchy.
    • Template Verification: Even if you use a prebuilt layout or branded template, check it’s accessibility issues first. If the “Foundation” is broken, every slide you make will be inaccessible.
  • Speaker Notes & Transcripts: If you plan to share the deck after a presentation, your “Speaker Notes” should act as a transcript of your main points and match with your slides. A screen reader user can read the notes to get the “story” that the visual slide might only hint at.
  • Live Presentation Accommodations: If you are presenting this document live (virtually or in person):
    • Live Captions: Google Slides has a built-in Captions button in the presenter toolbar. Note that these are live only and are not saved to the file.
    • The “Share Ahead” Policy: For attendees using assistive technology, receiving the deck 24 hours in advance is a standard accessibility accommodation. It allows them to familiarize themselves with the content so they can focus on your speech during the meeting.
  • Export Intent (Save as PDF vs. Google Slides):聽 If you know the final product must be a PDF, you must commit to using Placeholders only. Any “floating” text box added in Google Slides will require manual remediation in Adobe Acrobat later. Starting correctly in Google Slides saves hours of work in the PDF stage.

In addition to the Basic Content Accessibility Guidelines, keep reading for specific guidelines for this document type.

Google Slides accessibility guidelines

Guidelines for Google Slides Presentations reflect general content guidelines, but the instructions for applying these recommendations are unique.

In this page:

  1. Use an Accessibility Checker
  2. Use Built-in Layouts & Templates
  3. Set a Logical Reading Order
  4. Use Unique & Descriptive Slide Titles
  5. Legible Text & Typography
  6. Image Alternative Text
  7. Colors & Contrast
  8. Tables & Links
  9. Motion & Media
  10. Metadata & Language

1. Use an Accessibility Checker

Google Slides does not have a built-in accessibility checker, but you can easily install one.

  • Grackle Slides: Google Slides does not have a built-in checker. Use the Grackle Slides add-on (Extensions > Add-ons) to scan for accessibility errors and contrast issues.

While automated checkers won鈥檛 catch every issue, they are a great tool to have in your tool set and are a good reminder that we should be thinking about accessibility when creating or editing content.

2. Use Built-in Layouts & Templates

The Golden Rule: Always use the standard templates provided by Google Slides. These are premade with the built-in “placeholders” to identify what is a title, an image, or a body of text.

  • Avoid: Inserting manual text boxes, as they often fall out of the reading order. Screen readers often skip these or read them in a random order.
  • Do: Use the Layout button on the Slide menu to pick a structure that fits your slide.
  • Or go to Slide > Apply layout to select a template.

3. Set a Logical Reading Order

Even if a slide looks correct visually, a screen reader might read the elements in the order they were added to the slide, which can be confusing.

  • Use the “Tab” Test: To check the order, click the slide background and press Tab. The focus will move through items in the order a screen reader will read them.
  • The “Z-Order” Fix: To change the order, right-click an element and select Order.
    • Send to back = Read First.
    • Bring to front = Read Last. (Note: This is the opposite of PowerPoint logic).

4. Use Unique & Descriptive Slide Titles

  • Navigation: This acts as a “Heading” (like an H1),allowing users to navigate with a screen reader to quickly “skim” the presentation and find the section they need.
  • Pagination: If you have multiple slides on one topic, label them “Enrollment Trends (1 of 3),” etc.

5. Legible Text & Typography

  • Minimum Size: While general guides suggest 18pt, for true accessibility and visibility, aim for 24pt+ for body text and 36pt+ for titles.
  • Font Choice: Use Sans Serif fonts (Arial, Calibri, Verdana). They are significantly easier for users with visual impairments or dyslexia to process than “feet-heavy” fonts like Times New Roman.
  • Alignment: Keep text Left-Aligned. Justified text creates irregular spacing (“rivers”) that makes reading difficult.

6. Image Alternative Text

Visuals like images, charts, and icons need a text description for users who cannot see them.

  • Right-click an image and select Alt Text (Ctrl + Alt + Y).
  • Meaningful Descriptions: Write 1鈥�2 brief sentences describing the “why” and “what” of the image. Don’t just describe what the image is; describe why it’s there.
  • For decorative images, leave the Alt Text box empty or type "" (two double quotes) so the screen reader knows to skip it.

7. Colors & Contrast

Choose a color for your text and other elements that has a high degree of contrast against the background color.

  • Avoid light text on light backgrounds and dark text on dark backgrounds, and avoid using red and green.
  • Use a standard contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for most text.
  • Never use color alone to convey meaning or emphasis (e.g., “the red text is urgent”).
  • Stick to HCU Brand colors.
  • How to check Color Contrast: You can test colors using the聽.
  • Tables: Because Google Slides cannot natively tag table headers, avoid using tables for complex data. If you must use a table, keep it very small and never merge cells.
  • Links: Avoid “Click here.” Instead, use descriptive display text like “Download the 2026 Budget Report.”

9. Motion & Media

  • Animations: Avoid flashing, strobing, or automatic transitions. These are major triggers for users with vestibular or seizure disorders.
  • Captions: If you have video, provide a .vtt caption file or a full transcript in the “Notes” section.

10. Metadata & Language

  • Metadata: Go to File > Settings > Language to set the primary document language.
  • Braille: Go to Tools > Accessibility settings and check Turn on screen reader support to ensure compatibility with Braille displays.

Learn more about creating accessible content

Guidelines for Documents, Multimedia, Email, Canvas, Charts & Graphs, and Forms.