Google Slides

1 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:23,960 Grackle Slides can help identify accessibility problems in a Google Slides presentation, but accessibility starts before you run the checker. 2 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:31,680 A presentation should work as a presentation concise, visually organized, and designed to support communication. 3 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:37,720 If your audience needs extended prose, detailed instructions, or reference material, 4 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:42,800 consider whether that content belongs in speaker notes or in a document instead. 5 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:48,720 To begin, open grackle slides from the extensions menu. 6 00:00:49,440 --> 00:00:56,560 Grackle analyzes the presentation and groups the results into accessibility checks that have passed, need review or require correction. 7 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:02,560 You don't need to memorize every category. Instead, use the results as a guided review of the deck. 8 00:01:03,160 --> 00:01:06,370 In this example, grackle has identified several common problems. 9 00:01:07,050 --> 00:01:09,090 Some slides have title or structure issues. 10 00:01:09,770 --> 00:01:17,250 Meaningful slide titles help users understand where they are in a presentation and provide useful structure for assistive technology. 11 00:01:18,410 --> 00:01:26,690 Other elements need alternative text. Images that communicate information should have concise descriptions that convey their purpose or meaning, 12 00:01:27,210 --> 00:01:30,810 not simply repeat what is already visible elsewhere on the slide. 13 00:01:31,570 --> 00:01:34,890 Grackle may also flag formatting or color concerns. 14 00:01:35,810 --> 00:01:40,450 These deserve human review. An automated checker can identify potential problems, 15 00:01:41,170 --> 00:01:45,690 but it cannot always determine whether a visual choice works for the people using the presentation. 16 00:01:46,730 --> 00:01:51,250 It is much easier to create accessible slides than to repair inaccessible ones later. 17 00:01:51,930 --> 00:01:59,490 Keep text concise and use a clear visual hierarchy. Give slides meaningful titles, use readable type and sufficient contrast, 18 00:02:00,210 --> 00:02:05,770 and don't rely on color alone to communicate meaning and avoid turning slides into miniature documents. 19 00:02:06,570 --> 00:02:10,420 If you need a detailed explanation, speaking script, or additional context. 20 00:02:11,300 --> 00:02:15,220 Speaker notes can often hold that information without overcrowding the slide. 21 00:02:15,980 --> 00:02:22,900 If the material is fundamentally meant to be read rather than presented, the more accessible choice may be to create a document instead. 22 00:02:23,860 --> 00:02:25,460 One check deserves particular attention. 23 00:02:26,180 --> 00:02:34,060 Reading order sighted viewers can scan a slide and infer relationships from position, size, spacing, and visual design. 24 00:02:34,900 --> 00:02:38,180 A screen reader encounters the individual elements in a sequence. 25 00:02:39,140 --> 00:02:42,980 That sequence does not necessarily match what the slide looks like. 26 00:02:43,620 --> 00:02:49,820 Here, I'm reviewing the order of the objects on each slide and adjusting them so the content is encountered logically. 27 00:02:50,860 --> 00:02:57,620 Usually that means beginning with the slide title followed by the primary content and then supporting information, 28 00:02:58,260 --> 00:03:01,300 but the correct order depends on what the slide is trying to communicate. 29 00:03:02,260 --> 00:03:07,980 This is why reading order requires judgment rather than simply clearing an error message. 30 00:03:08,740 --> 00:03:14,750 As you review each slide, ask if I couldn't see this slide, Would this sequence still make sense? 31 00:03:15,990 --> 00:03:20,070 A slide can look perfectly organized while its underlying reading order is confusing. 32 00:03:21,110 --> 00:03:29,070 So this is one area where I recommend slowing down and checking deliberately, rather than assuming the visual layout tells the whole story. 33 00:03:29,750 --> 00:03:37,030 After making corrections, run grackle again to verify that the issues have been resolved and review anything that still requires judgment. 34 00:03:38,310 --> 00:03:42,790 The basic workflow is simple design intentionally check with grackle. 35 00:03:43,550 --> 00:03:47,870 Review with human judgment recheck. Two things are especially worth remembering. 36 00:03:48,470 --> 00:03:56,110 First, pay attention to reading order. Visual placement does not automatically create a meaningful sequence for someone using assistive technology. 37 00:03:57,190 --> 00:04:01,550 Second, accessibility remediation cannot compensate for choosing the wrong format. 38 00:04:02,670 --> 00:04:06,830 Slides should function as slides. Documents should function as documents. 39 00:04:08,070 --> 00:04:12,390 Grackle is a useful check, but accessible communication is still a design decision.