Requirements for 508 compliance
Place images, data tables, charts, and other objects 'inline' with the document content (rather than 'floating'). Where floating objects are unavoidable, ensure both the object and wrapped text around the object are part of the read order.
Are objects inline with text?
To examine whether items are inline with document content:
Compare the Print Layout View (on the View Tab, in the Document Views Group, select Print Layout) to the Draft Layout view (on the View Tab, in the Document Views Group, select Draft)
If the item shows in Print Layout view, but does not show in Draft view, then the item is not inline, and must be fixed.
Note: If correctly set as 'inline', then object placeholders will be highlighted in blue when the object is selected in Draft View (even though the object itself is not visible).
To set a picture or drawing object as 'inline':
Select the floating item ('floating' is the opposite of 'inline'), then open the context menu (right click).
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Select Text Wrapping, then select In Line with Text
The object is set to be Inline with text
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Remove any blank character formatting of text that was behind the original floating object. It may be useful to show blank characters: CTRL + SHIFT + *. Apply regular character and/or paragraph formatting to the object to return it to the desired visual look (an inline object behaves like a text character).
Note: Some visual layout effects are not possible when objects are set as 'inline'. For example, text cannot be wrapped around an object. If floating objects are absolutely necessary, then (1) fix any remaining accessibility issues with the document, and (2) convert the file to an accessible format (one in which floating objects can be made accessible).
Note: Some visual layout effects are not possible when objects are set as 'inline'. For example, text cannot be wrapped around an object. If floating objects are absolutely necessary, then (1) fix any remaining accessibility issues with the document, and (2) convert the file to an accessible format (one in which floating objects can be made accessible).
To set a data table as 'inline':
Select the table, then open the context menu (right click).
Select Table Properties…
The Table Properties dialog box opens.
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In the Table Properties dialog box, Table Tab, set Text wrapping to None.
Note: Some visual layout effects are not possible when objects are set as 'inline'. For example, text cannot be wrapped around an object. If floating objects are absolutely necessary, then (1) fix any remaining accessibility issues with the document, and (2) convert the file to an accessible format (one in which floating objects can be made accessible).
Note: Some visual layout effects are not possible when objects are set as 'inline'. For example, text cannot be wrapped around an object. If floating objects are absolutely necessary, then (1) fix any remaining accessibility issues with the document, and (2) convert the file to an accessible format (one in which floating objects can be made accessible).
To set a Text Box as 'inline' (do not use Text Boxes):
Note: The content of text boxes does not get read by screen reading software used by people who are non-sighted or who have low vision. Therefore, it is never acceptable to use text boxes in documents that are intended to be distributed in MS Word format. If text box use is absolutely necessary for layout, it is necessary to convert the file to an accessible format.
Note: The content of text boxes does not get read by screen reading software used by people who are non-sighted or who have low vision. Therefore, it is never acceptable to use text boxes in documents that are intended to be distributed in MS Word format. If text box use is absolutely necessary for layout, it is necessary to convert the file to an accessible format.
Place images, data tables, charts, and other objects 'inline' with the document content (rather than 'floating'). Where floating objects are unavoidable, ensure both the object and wrapped text around the object are part of the read order.
Correct:
(Select the image to download example file in MS Word format)
Incorrect:
(Select the image to download example file in MS Word format)
Place images, data tables, charts, and other objects 'inline' with the document content (rather than 'floating'). Where floating objects are unavoidable, ensure both the object and wrapped text around the object are part of the read order.
Screen readers can only detect and properly read objects when they are placed 'inline'. Assistive technologies must present users with the correct reading order when text wrapping is used or content may be read in a confusing manner (line of text, followed by a table row, followed by a line of text, etc.)
Legal References
508 references:
1194.21(a); 1194.31(a); 1194.31(b); 1194.31(f).
WCAG references:
2.4.3.
All Microsoft Word Requirements