Accessible Word (implementation guide)
The implementation aid Word barrier-free serves as support for the Word barrier-free checklist. The order of the aspects and the structure according to categories are the same.
Each aspect is divided into three sections in the implementation guide:
Under the heading "What is meant by this? " you will find a detailed description of the aspect to be ticked off. The section "Why is it important?" describes which barriers you are removing with the respective aspect and for which groups of people this is essential. Finally, under the heading "How can I implement/check this?" you will find detailed instructions on how to implement or check the respective aspect.
3. Text
3.1. Language change
The text passages that differ from the main language are marked with the appropriate language (language change).
What is meant by this?
If a document is written in several languages, it is important to indicate passages that differ from the main language in the other language.
The main language of a document is the language that is used most frequently in a document and that best describes the content of the document. Defining the main language of a document is important as it determines which spell checker, grammar checker and other language-specific functions are used.
A language change refers to the change of language for a specific section or word in a document that differs from the main language. If sections or words within a document are required in a different language, for example when using quotations, foreign-language terms or in a multilingual document, these must also be marked with the corresponding language.
Why is it important?
Marking language changes is important for the accessibility of documents, as it helps recipients who use speech output or a screen reader to better understand the text.
If this person uses a screen reader or voice output to read the presentation, they may have difficulty recognising and understanding text passages that differ from the main language, as screen readers and voice outputs do not automatically recognise different language and pronunciation is based on the stored language.
Marking language changes therefore enables screen readers and voice outputs to use the correct pronunciation.
How can it be implemented/checked?
In Word, you can mark language changes as follows:
- Select the text that is to be labelled in a different language.
- Click on the "Check" tab or, if you are using a Mac, on "Extras" and then on "Language".
- On a Windows computer, select the language in which the text is written from the "Add language" drop-down menu or select a corresponding language on a Mac.
- Repeat this process for all text passages that are written in another language.
Alternatively, it is also possible to change the language of the document in the bar below the document using the "Language" function.