Section508.gov Launches Self-Paced Courses on Microsoft Word Accessibility

On September 14, 2026, Section508.gov announced the launch of two new self-paced training courses focused on creating accessible Microsoft Word documents. The two-part instructional series covers foundational techniques as well as advanced design elements for digital files.

The courses are aimed at document authors, content creators, document designers, Section 508 Program Managers, and Section 508 subject matter experts, particularly those preparing electronic records for public or official agency communication.

Microsoft Word Accessibility Overview

The first course in the series, titled Microsoft Word Accessibility Overview, is an introductory module designed to take approximately 85 minutes. It focuses on core concepts for accessible text documents, covering:

• Structuring document content using headings and lists
• Applying color appropriately
• Providing accessibility metadata, including document language and descriptive file names
• Testing documents for accessibility
• Sharing files in Word and PDF formats

Microsoft Word Accessibility for Document Designers

The second part, titled Microsoft Word Accessibility for Document Designers, serves as an intermediate to advanced module lasting approximately 80 minutes. It builds upon foundational practices and covers complex document formatting features, including:

• Inserting accessible links, data tables, images, and other embedded elements
• Designing layouts with columns, headers, footers, and text boxes
• Generating accessible tables of contents

Course Structure and Certification

The materials are intended to be taken sequentially. Each course concludes with a five-question quiz. Learners who achieve a score of at least 80 percent receive a downloadable PDF certificate of completion.

Further details and access to the modules are available at Section508.gov.