Accessibility Checklist for Graphics
Creating accessible graphics ensures that important information can be understood by everyone, including people who use screen readers or have low vision. If you design your own, use the fast review for quick fixes, the full checklist for best practices, and the cheat sheets for step-by-step guidance.
⚠️ Important: Ensure all graphics follow the official VCSU Marketing Style Guide. Whenever possible, transition to using Adobe Express, the campus-supported tool for creating accessible, branded content.
✅ Fast Review
Quick fixes if you must create your own graphics.
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Prefer Adobe Express: Use Marketing and IT endorsed tools and templates where possible.
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Use strong color contrast: Check with the Silktide or WebAIM before publishing.
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Avoid text in images: Don’t embed critical text inside graphics. Provide it in the caption, alt text, or surrounding text.
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Write alt text:Provide concise, accurate alt text that explains the purpose of the graphic.
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Keep fonts legible: Sans-serif fonts (Arial, Franklin Gothic) at readable sizes.
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Limit decorative elements: Avoid clutter, busy backgrounds, or flashing/moving graphics.
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Run accessibility checkers: Use built-in tools (Adobe Express, Canva, etc.) before sharing.
📖 Full Checklist
🧩 View the full best practices list.
🎨 Colors & Contrast
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Check contrast: Ensure text/background meets WCAG standards (≥ 4.5:1 normal text, ≥ 3:1 large/bold text).
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No color-only meaning: Don’t rely on color alone—add labels, patterns, or text.
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Examples: Instead of red/green circles, use ✔️/❌ icons or labels.
🔤 Text & Fonts
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Avoid embedding text in images: Place important text in the post/email body instead.
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Use real text layers: In Adobe Express or Canva, type text as text—not part of a flattened image.
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Choose legible fonts: Sans-serif fonts; avoid decorative or script fonts.
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Minimum size: At least 16pt for small graphics; larger for posters/social posts.
🖼️ Alt Text & Descriptions
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Alt text: Provide concise descriptions (≤120 characters) of the graphic’s purpose.
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Decorative: Mark purely decorative graphics as decorative/null.
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Complex visuals: Provide nearby long descriptions (e.g., for infographics).
⚠️ Motion & Effects
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Avoid flashing/blinking animations: Can trigger seizures or distraction.
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Use simple transitions: Keep movement minimal if exporting to video/GIF.
📑 Approval & Tools
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Prefer Adobe Express: Use VCSU-approved templates when available.
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Submit to Marketing: Whenever possible, request review/approval.
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Run accessibility checkers: Built-in in Adobe Express, Canva, or external tools like WebAIM Contrast Checker.
⚡ Quick Verification
Easy tools to double-check your design before publishing.
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Run built-in accessibility checkers.
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Confirm color contrast passes WCAG using Silktide Ally Checker or WebAIM contrast checker.
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Verify no critical text is embedded inside images only.
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Check that all text is readable (font choice, size, spacing).
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Add or confirm alt text for the graphic.
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Ensure decorative-only graphics are marked decorative.
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Review with Marketing for approval when possible.
📎 Cheat Sheet Downloads
Step-by-step guides for accessible graphics and visuals.