To ensure screen readers can navigate your presentation seamlessly, always use Google Slides' structured layouts rather than drawing blank text boxes:

• Open your presentation in Google Slides.
• To add a new slide with an accessible structure, click the + (New slide with layout) dropdown arrow on the top toolbar.
• Select a layout that includes a dedicated title placeholder (e.g., Title and Body or Section Header).
• Type a unique, descriptive title into the top title box for every slide.

Every visual object that presents instructional information must include alternative text (Alt Text).

• Right-click (or Control-click on Mac) on the image, chart, shape, or diagram.
• Select Alt text from the context menu (or press Ctrl + Alt + Y / Cmd + Option + Y).
• In the sidebar that opens on the right side of the screen:
  • For Informational Visuals:
    • Type a clear 1–2 sentence explanation into the Description box detailing what the visual shows and why it is educationally relevant. Leave the Title box blank or brief.
  • For Decorative Images:
    • Unlike Microsoft Office, native Google Slides does not have a dedicated "Mark as decorative" checkbox. If an image is purely decorative:
      • Leave both the Title and Description fields completely blank.
      • Alternatively, if your department uses Grackle Slides (an accessibility checker add-on for Google Workspace found under Extensions -> Add-ons), open the Grackle sidebar and check the Mark as decorative box so screen readers safely skip the graphic.

In Google Slides, screen readers read elements on a slide based on their layer order (from back to front):

• Press the Tab key on your keyboard: Click any element on your slide and press Tab repeatedly.
• Observe the selection box: Each time you press Tab, the selection box will jump to the next item on the slide. This shows you the exact sequence a screen reader will follow.
• Verify the order: Ensure focus moves logically.
  • First: Slide Title
  • Second: Main Body Text / Bullet Points
  • Third: Images, Diagrams, or Supporting Visuals
• Fix out-of-order items: If an item is read out of sequence:
  • Right-click the item that is out of order.
  • Hover over Order and select Send backward (to make it read earlier) or Bring forward (to make it read later).
• Re-test: Press Tab again through the slide elements until the focus highlight moves smoothly from top to bottom.

Text must contrast sharply against the slide background so students with low vision or color blindness can read it comfortably:

• Highlight the text on your slide.
• Click the Text color (icon with an "A" over a line) button on the top toolbar.
• Select a high-contrast color (such as dark black/navy text on a white or light background, or white text on a dark background).
• Avoid placing text over complex background graphics or images.

Unlike Microsoft PowerPoint, native Google Slides does not have a built-in "Header Row" checkbox option to tag table headers for screen readers. To make your tables as readable as possible in Google Slides:

• Keep Table Structure Simple: Use simple grid tables with clear rows and columns. Avoid nested tables, merged cells, or split cells, as screen readers cannot read complex layouts properly.
• Visually Format the Top Row: Highlight the top row of your table and apply Bold text (Ctrl + B / Cmd + B) and a high-contrast cell background color. This creates a distinct visual header for low-vision readers.
• Use Descriptive Titles or Captions: Place a clear text heading or caption directly above the table (e.g., "Table 1: Fall Enrollment Data") so screen reader users know what data the table contains before navigating through the cells.

Native Google Slides lacks a built-in "Header Row" check box (unlike Microsoft PowerPoint or Word). This means screen readers cannot automatically repeat column names out loud as a student moves from cell to cell.

What to do for complex tables:

• For Simple Tables (2x2 or 3x3): The standard formatting steps above are sufficient for student readability.
• For Large or Data-Heavy Tables: Export or recreate the presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint (where native Table Header tags can be assigned), or use the Grackle Slides add-on in Google Workspace to apply accessibility tags to table headers.