Document and slide templates

If you are creating documents or slides and want them to follow accessibility and University branding standards, please use the University templates available within Google. You can access the University templates when you create a document or presentation using the “+New” button in Drive. Click the right arrow next to Google Doc/Google Slides to expand the menu, which will give you the option of choosing “From a template.” You will be presented with the current University templates (illustrated instructions).

Please keep in mind that ensuring documents and slides are accessible requires more than just using the correct University templates. You should also complete Digital Accessibility training if you are regularly creating and sharing documents and slides with others.

The University is also in the midst of a branding change and replacing Driven to Discover, which could affect things like color and type. Always using the currently available template is the best way to ensure you have the most up-to-date version. If you have questions, please email asrux@umn.edu.

University Rebranding: document and slide templates

The University is working through a rebranding effort to replace “Driven to Discover.” The UX and Content Strategy team will be working on accessible, ASR-specific templates for Google documents and slides when the final branding is provided by University Marcomm this spring. 

If you are creating documents or slides before the final branding is provided, please use the University templates available within Google. You can access the University templates when you create a document or presentation using the “+New” button in Drive. Click the right arrow next to Google Doc/Google Slides to expand the menu, which will give you the option of choosing “From a template.” You will be presented with the current University templates (illustrated instructions). If you have questions, please email asrux@umn.edu.

Creating Accessible Google Documents

As ASR prepares for compliance changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations, it is important for us all to understand the importance of accessible electronic documents. A great place to start is understanding how to create accessible Google Documents and how to verify if those documents are accessible. Making a document accessible doesn’t just help those who use assistive technology, but also makes documents more usable for everyone.

Resources for making accessible Google Documents

• Watch the Accessibility Ambassadors workshop about creating accessible Google Documents. The following core skills are highlighted:
• Using headings
• Reducing and simplifying tables in word documents
• Ensuring the document is high-contrast (e.g. black text on a white background)
• Download and familiarize yourself with GrackleDocs. This is an approved browser extension for checking the accessibility of Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• Explore the Digital Accessibility: Create Accessible Documents online training. This course is part of the digital accessibility badging program.

Digital Playground

Digital Playground’s next session will be on October 8 at 9 a.m. The topic will be Google Docs. We’ll dive into some of the very useful and more niche things that Google Docs can do including formatting, editing tips, and sharing content among other topics. We’ll also touch on some of Title II related areas like alt text, color, and making documents accessible for all. The Google Calendar invite and Zoom link will be sent out later.

If you haven’t already, join the Google Group to find recordings and resources from previous sessions on Gmail, Zoom, and Google Drive organization. If you have any questions or would like to join the Google group, reach out to Pete Fleenor (fleen010@umn.edu).