Using Free Tools:

TCSG/GOLD announced that the use of free tools and software to create or measure the accessibility of content is discouraged. Tools that have not been vetted by TCSG SecOps cannot be used.  This is especially important as we review, edit, and create documents for accessibility requirements. GOLD recommends using enterprise application checkers through Microsoft, Adobe, Blackboard, and the only free tool approved by the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) is WebAIM: Color Contrast Checker. No other tools have been approved for use, including PAVE, Claude, or the other checkers provided by WebAIM.  

Accessibility Resources for ATC Staff and Faculty:

State of Georgia Accessibility Checklist at digital.georgia.gov

Presentation and resources: Fix Fest: Accessibility Unlocked 

TCSG GOLD, Meredith Muse

March 02, 2026

• Recording: FixFest: Accessibility Unlocked
• ADA - Requirements for web and mobile accessibility
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Regulations.gov - Accessibility Statement 
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
  

TCSG GOLD Accessibility Posts

• Accessibility Best Practices
• Accessibility Compliance
• Blackboard Accessibility Best Practices
• Blackboard Accessibility Tools   

Resources for creating accessible documents

• Make your Word documents accessible to people with disabilities (Microsoft)
• Accessibility best practices with Excel spreadsheets (Microsoft)
• Make your PowerPoint presentations accessible to people with disabilities (Microsoft)
• Creating accessible PDFs (Adobe)
• Create and verify PDF accessibility in Acrobat Pro (Adobe)
• Make your Outlook email accessible to people with disabilities (Microsoft)
• Add descriptions to an image file in Ultra (Blackboard)

Accessibility Checkers

• Color Contrast Checker (WebAIM.org)
• Check a Document (Word)
  
• Check a Spreadsheet (Excel)
• Check a Presentation (PowerPoint)
• Check a PDF (Adobe)

Webinars 

TCSG GOLD Learning and Development webpage. Keyword: Accessibility

Gwinnett Technical College's Accessibility series is available on TCSG GOLD's Learning Development Recorded Training page. Each video is also listed below with a link to each recording.

• ADA Accessibility Basics: Introduction to Accessibility Compliance
  • Why is Accessibility Important
  • Viewing the Accessibility Report, Identifying Issues, and How to Fix Them
  • Microsoft Office Accessibility Checkers
  • Publisher or Third-Party Content
  • Alternative Text for Images on Blackboard, and in tests - without giving the answer
  • Other Items to Check: Ultra Documents, Videos, Web Links
• Text Accessibility: Fonts, Colors, and Sizing
  • Accessible Fonts
  • Text Color, Background Color, Contrast, and Combinations
  • Text Size Guidelines
• Image Accessibility: Alternative Text, Image Clarity, and Contrast
  • Suggestions for Alt Text in Content and in Blackboard Tests
  • Adding Alt Text in Word, PowerPoint, PDF, Ultra Docs, and Tests
  • Image Resolution
  • Color Contrast in Images
• Colors & Accessibility: Have Fun with Colors While Staying Accessible
  • Black and White or Color
  • Color Theory
  • Online Contrast Checkers
  • Color Vision Deficiency
• Blackboard Accessibility: Titles, Headers, Tables, Links, and More
  • Basic Blackboard Text Formatting
  • Lists, White Space, Text Styles (Titles, Headers, & Subheaders)
  • Tables, Links, Images & Alternative Text
  • Attachment Names 
• Word Document Accessibility: Basic Considerations
  • How to Check Accessibility in MS Word
  • Accessible Text
  • Best Practices for Copying and Pasting
  • Using "Styles" for Headings
  • Tables and Accessibility
  • Formatting Accessible Web Links
  • Adding Alternative Text to Images
• Word Document Accessibility: More Advanced Considerations
  • Custom Styles Formatting
  • White Space and Accessibility
  • Avoid "Wrap Text" Around Images
  • More Advanced Text Color Choices
  • Add Title to File Properties 
• PowerPoint Accessibility: Basic Considerations
  • How to Check Accessibility in PowerPoint
  • Creating Slide Titles
  • Accessible Text: Fonts, Size, and Colors
  • Reading Order, Web Links, Alt Text for Images and Shapes
• PowerPoint Accessibility: More Advanced Considerations (link pending)
  • Using the Master Slide and Saving Templates
  • Tables, Color, Shapes
  • White Space: Line Spacing and Kerning
  • Videos: Captions and Links
• Video Accessibility: Recordings, Virtual Classes, and Linked Videos (link pending)
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• PDF Accessibility: Best Strategies for PDFs (link pending)
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