Microsoft Applications:
Last updated April 3rd, 2026. Included in this website page are the following sections. Microsoft Applications Accessibility for the Visually Impaired. Online Resources About Microsoft Applications Accessibility for the Visually Impaired. Microsoft Word Accessibility for the Visually Impaired. Microsoft Excel Accessibility for the Visually Impaired. Microsoft Outlook Accessibility for the Visually Impaired. End of list.
Microsoft Applications Accessibility for the Visually Impaired:
Microsoft applications include Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Teams.
People with visual impairments can use Microsoft apps by using the accessibility features available on their computer, magnification software, screen reader software, and the accessibility features available for the specific Microsoft apps.
Online Resources About Microsoft Applications Accessibility for the Visually Impaired:
Resources for all Microsoft Apps:
Make your content accessible to everyone website page link from Microsoft.
Accessibility help & learning website page from Microsoft link.
Resources About Specific Microsoft Apps:
Accessibility Tools for Word website page from Microsoft link.
Accessibility Tools for PowerPoint website page from Microsoft link.
Accessibility Tools for Excel website page from Microsoft link.
Accessibility Tools for Outlook website page from Microsoft link.
Accessibility Tools for Microsoft Teams website page from Microsoft link.
Microsoft Word Accessibility for the Visually Impaired:
Change the font to one that’s easier to read such as Verdana. Increase the text size. Change the text to black and bolded.
Change the text spacing to 1.15, 1.5 or double.
Change the background color to another color such as black and change the text color to another color such as white.
Once the document has been completed, the text formatting can be changed to a required formatting such as Times New Roman 12 point font.
Zoom in or out as needed. For Windows, type Control key then the plus or hyphen key. For Mac, type Command key then the plus or hyphen key.
Use computer accessibility features such as the Magnifier Feature.
Use a screen reader such as Narrator, Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA), or JAWS.
Use keyboard shortcuts.
Microsoft Excel Accessibility for the Visually Impaired:
Change the font to one that’s easier to read such as Verdana. Make the text black and bolded.
Use an alternative high contrast color theme such as white text on black background with white lines.
Increase the column width and row height to create space around the text within the cells.
Zoom in or out as needed by pressing and holding the Control key then moving the mouse scroller up or down. Set the zoom percentage to a custom amount. Go to the View Tab and then select Zoom.
Use computer accessibility features such as the Magnifier Feature.
Use a screen reader such as Narrator, Non-Visual Desktop Access (NVDA), or JAWS.
Use keyboard shortcuts.
Microsoft Outlook Accessibility for the Visually Impaired:
Accessibility features such as magnifier features and screen readers can be used with the Outlook app.
Dark Mode feature.
Bright color options for the button highlight color.
Compact feature for the inbox.
Date-Time View feature for adding to the calendar detail-by-detail.
Agenda View feature for a simplified calendar view.
Changing the Outlook App Settings:
Go to the app settings by going to the Menu Button located in the top left corner. Then go to the Settings Button which is located in the bottom left corner.
In the app settings is the section Display & Appearance. In this section, the color theme can be changed, the button highlight color can be changed to a brighter color such as orange, and the density of the inbox can be changed to compact for a simplified view.
When adding something to the calendar, there is a button in the top left corner next to the Back Button labeled as Switch to Date-Time View Button. This switches the format from sliding the appointment block on the screen to selecting each detail individually. To switch back, find the Switch to Schedule View Button located in the top left corner next to the Back Button.
To view the calendar in another view, find the Change View Button located in the top right corner.