Message to all SSA Users of Microsoft Word 2010:


By now, many of you may have been upgraded to Windows 7/Office 2010. In the checklist videos, references are made to a 508 Accessibility Help Tab located on Microsoft Word 2010's ribbon. While implementation of the tab is still in progress, use the alternative method explained below to get the same results as would be provided by the 508 Accessibility Help Tab.

The Microsoft Word Accessibility Checker is available when you follow these four easy steps.

*Note*: Save the file as *.docx first. See instructions below the Accessibility Checker steps for how to save as *.docx format.



How to access the Microsoft Word Accessibility Checker:


  1. Select the 'File' tab.

    Selecting File tab in Microsoft Word 2010 in the most top left-hand side of the menu


  2. Select 'Info' on the left-hand side menu.

    Drop-down submenu of File tab in Microsoft Word 2010 selecting Info


  3. Select the 'Check for Issues' button.

    Select the Check for Issues button


  4. From the drop-down menu that appears, select 'Check Accessibility' to run the Accessibility Checker.

    Select the Check Accessibility option in the drop down menu for Check for Issues



How to save Word document as *.docx


  1. Select the 'File' tab.

    Selecting File tab in Microsoft Word 2010 in the most top left-hand side of the menu


  2. Select 'Save As' on the left-hand side menu.

    Drop-down submenu of File tab in Microsoft Word 2010 selecting Save As


  3. Select 'Word Document (*.docx)' in the Save as type drop-down, if not already selected.

    Selecting *.docx format in the save as type drop down menu


  4. If you get the following pop-up, select 'OK'.

    Select OK on Microsoft Word pop up box if presented