## Cambium Data Blog
Cambium Data has been serving the Omaha area since 2009, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.
[ Categories ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/categories "Categories")
[ Tags ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/tags "Tags")
[ Categories: All Categories ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/javascript:void(0); "Categories")
Search...Suggested keywords
[ x ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/javascript:void(0);)
# Did You Know Microsoft Word Offers Essential Accessibility Features?
[Cambium Data Blog](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/categories/blog) [Best practices](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/categories/best-practices)
[Tony Underwood](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/tony-underwood)
Monday, 30 March 2026
[ 0 Comments ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/did-you-know-microsoft-word-offers-essential-accessibility-features#comments)
[  ](//cambiumdata.directivesites.com/images/easyblog_shared/March_2026/03-30-26/AccessibilityFeatures_1922777295_400.jpg "Did You Know Microsoft Word Offers Essential Accessibility Features?")
Accessibility is a major topic in modern technology, as it benefits everyone involved. Not only does it allow a team member to participate productively in the workplace without obstacles, but it also gives an employer access to a wider talent pool.
One such tool (or toolkit, really) is built directly into Microsoft’s productivity software as the Word Accessibility Assistant. Much more than spellcheck, it helps ensure your documents can be absorbed by as many people as possible.
## What is the Word Accessibility Assistant?
Much like the various other assistants that modern software incorporates, the Word Accessibility Assistant is a tool that helps a user format their document so that as many people as possible can read it easily by scanning for elements that would make it less legible… and therefore, less accessible.
When activated, the Accessibility Assistant returns its feedback divided into three separate categories:
1. Errors, such as missing descriptions, and things that must be corrected.
2. Warnings, which indicate recommended opportunities to improve the user experience.
3. Tips to boost the professionalism of a document.
### What Does the Accessibility Assistant Help You Fix?
With the whole point of accessibility being to ensure as many people (with as many conditions and circumstances) as possible can adeptly use a toolset, these features are meant to address some of the challenges that some would encounter.
- For instance, the use of screen readers (software that converts visual content into audio or tactile formats for people who are visually impaired) can be disrupted by the presence of images. The Accessibility Assistant uses AI to generate a description of the image, helping everyone’s experience.
- On a similar note, the Assistant can also detect when there isn’t enough contrast between the text color and the background, giving you the opportunity to adjust this balance and make everything more legible. This helps users with colorblindness or other visual disabilities.
- The Assistant can even identify whether page elements, such as headings, are formatted properly. These inclusions can help make documents easier to navigate, speeding up comprehensive reading.
This is important information to know, especially given that the Americans with Disabilities Act's Title II updates are scheduled to take effect this year. Making these adjustments is becoming more and more of a prerogative, and less and less an option.
**Furthermore, these adjustments are a game-changer for those who need them.** So, how does one activate the Assistant and identify where these adjustments can be made?
All it takes is a few clicks:
## Activating the Word Accessibility Assistant
Setting up the assistant to run as you work is a simple task: in the **Review** menu tab, click on **Check Accessibility**. A panel will open that lists the fixes you need to make and any adjustments to consider, as we went over above.
This is great for a final review, but if you’d rather correct any accessibility issues as you work, you can check the box at the bottom of the Check Accessibility panel labeled "**Keep** **accessibility checker running while I work.**" With this active, you’ll see an update in the status bar the moment Word registers a potential issue.
## Inclusion Can Be Easy to Accomplish
You just need to know how to use the tools at your disposal.
Cambium Data is here to help make all of your business IT as easy to use as possible for everyone on your team. Reach out to us at (402) 514-3200 to learn more about our managed, proactive IT services.
[ ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/javascript:void(0);) [ ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/javascript:void(0);) [ ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/javascript:void(0);)
Tags:
[Best Practices](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/tags/best-practices) [Software](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/tags/software) [Microsoft Office](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/tags/microsoft-office)
[ How Even Your Firewall Can Be a Growth Engine for ... ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/how-even-your-firewall-can-be-a-growth-engine-for-your-business)
[ Managed Services: The True Path to Unlocking Your ... ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/managed-services-the-true-path-to-unlocking-your-business-potential)
About the author
[  ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/tony-underwood)
[Tony Underwood](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/tony-underwood)
[ ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/tony-underwood)
Tony Underwood, Founder and President of Cambium Data Inc. has proven himself as one of the top internetworking experts in the industry. Mr. Underwood began his IT career in 1991 in the US Navy working on critical military computer systems. He grew his computer and networking knowledge through a number of different IT jobs from desktop support all the way up to leading the Network Engineering organization of a multi-billion dollar international company. Mr Underwood was recognized as Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert [\#7112](https://connect.directive.com/v4_6_release/services/system_io/Service/fv_sr100_request.rails?service_recid=7112&companyName=Dti) in March of 2001 and in 2022 he achieved the lifetime status of Cisco CCIE Emeritus
Author's recent posts
[More posts from author](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/tony-underwood)
[ Thursday, 03 September 2026 Cambium Data launches new website! ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/news-a-events/launches-new-website)
[ Wednesday, 02 September 2026 How to Avoid the 4 Common Backup Failures ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/how-to-avoid-the-4-common-backup-failures)
[ Monday, 31 August 2026 Securing Remote Work Without Micromanaging Your Team ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/securing-remote-work-without-micromanaging-your-team)
Comments
No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
**** Already Registered? [Login Here](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/home/login-logout?return=aHR0cHM6Ly9jYW1iaXVtZGF0YS5kaXJlY3RpdmVzaXRlcy5jb20vYmxvZy9kaWQteW91LWtub3ctbWljcm9zb2Z0LXdvcmQtb2ZmZXJzLWVzc2VudGlhbC1hY2Nlc3NpYmlsaXR5LWZlYXR1cmVz)
Thursday, 03 September 2026
Subscribe to the blog (Please fill in your email address to subscribe to updates from this post.)
**Captcha Image**