Excel Accessibility Fundamentals

Description
This session focuses on the standards and concepts behind accessible spreadsheets. Participants learn how Section 508 and WCAG apply to Excel workbooks and how assistive technologies interact with tabular data. The session covers data structure, headers, tables, charts, links, and color use at a conceptual level. Participants learn common accessibility failures in spreadsheets, how issues are identified, and what accessible Excel files look like. The session includes an overview of Excel features that support accessibility, without hands-on remediation.

Topics Covered

• How Section 508 and WCAG apply to Excel workbooks
• How assistive technologies interact with tabular data
• Data structure and headers (conceptual)
• Tables and table structure
• Charts and accessible data
• Links and descriptive link text
• Color use and color meaning
• Common spreadsheet accessibility failures
• How issues are identified
• What accessible Excel files look like
• Overview of Excel features that support accessibility

Takeaways

• Understand how Section 508 and WCAG apply to spreadsheets
• Recognize how assistive tech interacts with tabular data
• Identify common accessibility failures in spreadsheets
• Know what accessible Excel files look like
• Be familiar with the Excel features that support accessibility

FAQ

• Is this a hands-on session? No. This is a conceptual fundamentals session. For hands-on practice, see our Microsoft Excel Accessibility Applied workshop.
• Do I need prior accessibility experience? No. It’s designed for new users.
• Do I need special software to attend? No, you can simply watch and learn.
• Do I get any materials? Yes, attendees receive a topic-specific Excel accessibility cheat sheet.
• Will a recording be available? The recording isn’t included, but it can be purchased separately for a fee.

Certification: Certificate of Completion issued to attendees who complete the full session

Location: Online via Zoom
Duration: 60 min