What Each Accessibility Check Means and Does

A plain-language reference for understanding what Inkable checks, what a failed result means, and what to review next.

What Each Accessibility Check Means and Does

Inkable's shared check catalog contains 26 unique check definitions across 7 categories. The sections below are organized by the app you are using, and shared checks are intentionally repeated in both app sections.

Google Docs

active source checks

Google Slides

active source checks

Shared in both

repeated in both sections

How to read this reference

Automated checks can identify a condition from the document structure. Checks marked Review needed may require a person to confirm the content or make the final change. Advisory checks are recommendations rather than strict conformance requirements. The D2L/PDF extension is listed separately because it is not part of the Google Docs or Google Slides add-on scan.

Google Docs checks

All checks that apply to documents in Google Docs, including checks shared with Google Slides.

Document

Document-level metadata and language settings.

Document Title and Consistency

Automated check

Checks for the presence, uniqueness, and consistency of the document title in both metadata and styled content.

When it finds an issue:

The document has no title in metadata or styled content. Add a title to the document properties and apply the 'Title' style to it.
The document has multiple styled titles. Select one title and convert the others to regular text or headings. This can be done via the 'Fix' button.
The metadata title does not match the styled title in the document. Ensure the metadata title and the styled title are identical. You can choose which one to use as the source of truth.
A metadata title exists, but no styled title was found in the document. Apply the 'Title' style to the main title in the document.
A styled title exists, but the document metadata title is not set. Set the document's metadata title to match the styled title.

Document Language

Automated check

Checks if the primary language of the document is specified.

When it finds an issue:

The document language is not specified. Set the primary language for the document. This can be done via the 'Fix' button.
The document's specified language may not match its actual content. Review and update the document's language setting to match the primary language of the content.

Images

Alternative text and decorative treatment for visual content.

Image Alt Text

Automated check

Checks if all images have appropriate alternative text (alt text).

When it finds an issue:

One or more images are missing alternative text (alt attribute). Add descriptive alt text to all images that convey meaningful content. Decorative images should have empty alt attributes (alt="").
Some images have generic or unhelpful alt text (e.g., 'image', 'photo'). Replace generic alt text with meaningful descriptions that convey the content or function of the image.

Drawing Alt Text

Automated check

Checks if all drawings have appropriate alternative text (alt text).

When it finds an issue:

One or more drawings are missing alternative text (alt attribute). Add descriptive alt text to all drawings that convey meaningful content. Decorative drawings should have empty alt attributes (alt="").
Some drawings have generic or unhelpful alt text (e.g., 'drawing', 'diagram'). Replace generic alt text with meaningful descriptions that convey the content or function of the drawing.

Decorative Images Marked as Artifacts

Automated check

Checks that decorative images are properly marked as artifacts so they are ignored by assistive technologies.

When it finds an issue:

One or more decorative images are not marked as artifacts. Mark decorative images as artifacts so they are ignored by screen readers. In PDFs, this is typically done by setting the image as an artifact in the document structure.

Decorative Drawings Marked as Artifacts

Automated check

Checks that decorative drawings are properly marked as artifacts so they are ignored by assistive technologies.

When it finds an issue:

One or more decorative drawings are not marked as artifacts. Mark decorative drawings as artifacts so they are ignored by screen readers. In PDFs, this is typically done by setting the drawing as an artifact in the document structure.

Equation Descriptions

Automated check

Checks if all mathematical equations have appropriate descriptions (alt text).

When it finds an issue:

One or more equations are missing alternative text (alt attribute). Add descriptive alt text to all equations that convey the mathematical content. Decorative equations should have empty alt attributes (alt="").
Some equations have generic or unhelpful alt text (e.g., 'equation', 'formula'). Replace generic alt text with meaningful descriptions that convey the mathematical content.

Headings

Heading levels and hierarchy used to navigate the document.

Heading Semantics (levels only)

Automated check

Checks that each heading’s level/style (H1–H6 or Normal) matches the document’s semantic structure. Proposes level changes or demotion to Normal only; never changes heading text.

When it finds an issue:

One or more headings have levels that don’t match their semantic relationship to parent/sibling sections. Apply precise heading style changes (e.g., H2→H3, or demote to Normal) as proposed by analysis.

Heading Hierarchy Order

Automated check

Checks that headings follow proper hierarchical order without skipping levels.

When it finds an issue:

Heading levels skip from one level to another (e.g., H1 to H3). This check is informational only. Manually adjust heading levels to follow proper hierarchy without skipping levels.
Document starts with a heading level higher than H1 or H2. This check is informational only. Manually start the document with an H1 or H2 heading to establish proper document structure.

Tables

Table structure, headers, merged cells, and layout-only tables.

Table Headers

Automated check

Checks that all tables have proper header tags to identify row and column headers.

When it finds an issue:

One or more tables are missing proper header tags. Add header tags to identify row and column headers in tables. This helps screen readers understand table structure.
One or more tables are not properly tagged as table structures. Tag table elements properly so they are recognized as tables by assistive technologies.

Table Cell Merging

Review needed

Checks that table cells are not merged, as merged cells can cause accessibility issues.

When it finds an issue:

One or more tables contain merged cells. Unmerge table cells and restructure the table to avoid merged cells. Consider using separate tables or alternative layouts.
Table has a complex structure that may be difficult for screen readers to navigate. Simplify table structure by avoiding merged cells and ensuring clear row/column relationships.

Layout tables are marked

Automated check

Checks that tables used for layout purposes (not data tables) are properly marked so they are ignored by assistive technologies.

When it finds an issue:

One or more layout tables are not properly marked as layout tables. Mark layout tables appropriately so screen readers ignore them. Layout tables should be marked as artifacts or have their role set to 'presentation' to indicate they are not data tables.

Content Readability

Content patterns that affect navigation, comprehension, and readability.

Header and footer elements are artifacts

Automated check

Checks if header and footer elements are properly marked as artifacts.

Lists are used where needed

Automated check

Checks if lists are properly formatted using list styles rather than manual formatting.

Hyperlinks are informative

Automated check

Checks if hyperlinks use meaningful text that describes the destination.

Table of contents is tagged

Advisory

Checks if the Table of Contents is properly tagged for navigation.

Text colors have sufficient contrast

Automated check

Checks if text and background color combinations meet accessibility contrast requirements.

Google Slides checks

All checks that apply to presentations in Google Slides, including checks shared with Google Docs.

Document

Document-level metadata and language settings.

Document Title and Consistency

Automated check

Checks for the presence, uniqueness, and consistency of the document title in both metadata and styled content.

When it finds an issue:

The document has no title in metadata or styled content. Add a title to the document properties and apply the 'Title' style to it.
The document has multiple styled titles. Select one title and convert the others to regular text or headings. This can be done via the 'Fix' button.
The metadata title does not match the styled title in the document. Ensure the metadata title and the styled title are identical. You can choose which one to use as the source of truth.
A metadata title exists, but no styled title was found in the document. Apply the 'Title' style to the main title in the document.
A styled title exists, but the document metadata title is not set. Set the document's metadata title to match the styled title.

Document Language

Automated check

Checks if the primary language of the document is specified.

When it finds an issue:

The document language is not specified. Set the primary language for the document. This can be done via the 'Fix' button.
The document's specified language may not match its actual content. Review and update the document's language setting to match the primary language of the content.

Presentation

The title and structure of the presentation as a whole.

Presentation Title and Consistency

Automated check

Checks that the presentation metadata and first slide identify a meaningful, consistent presentation title.

When it finds an issue:

The presentation title is missing, generic, or inconsistent with the first slide. Set a meaningful presentation title and align the first slide title/subtitle structure with the presentation content.
The primary title is visually present but not correctly structured as a slide title. Move the primary title into the proper title placeholder and preserve subtitle text in the subtitle placeholder when needed.

Slides

Whether each slide communicates its content in a meaningful order.

Slides Have Meaningful Content

Review needed

Checks whether slides contain meaningful content or should be improved or removed.

When it finds an issue:

One or more slides may not contain meaningful content for readers. Review the slide and either add a clear title and useful content or remove the slide if it is not needed.
One or more slides contain placeholder or insufficient content. Replace placeholder content with text or media that communicates the slide's purpose.

Reading order is meaningful

Automated check

Checks whether the order in which slide elements are presented to assistive technology preserves the meaning of the slide.

When it finds an issue:

The order of one or more slide elements may not preserve the slide's meaning. Use AI to determine and apply a more meaningful order for the slide elements.

Images

Alternative text and decorative treatment for visual content.

Image Alt Text

Automated check

Checks if all images have appropriate alternative text (alt text).

When it finds an issue:

One or more images are missing alternative text (alt attribute). Add descriptive alt text to all images that convey meaningful content. Decorative images should have empty alt attributes (alt="").
Some images have generic or unhelpful alt text (e.g., 'image', 'photo'). Replace generic alt text with meaningful descriptions that convey the content or function of the image.

Figure Alt Text

Automated check

Checks if all figures in presentations have appropriate alternative text.

When it finds an issue:

One or more figures are missing alternative text. Add descriptive alt text to figures that convey meaningful content. Decorative figures should be marked as artifacts.
Some figures have generic or unhelpful alternative text. Replace generic figure alt text with meaningful descriptions of the figure's content or function.
Some figures have alternative text that may not describe the figure well enough. Improve the figure alt text so it accurately conveys the relevant content.

Decorative Images Marked as Artifacts

Automated check

Checks that decorative images are properly marked as artifacts so they are ignored by assistive technologies.

When it finds an issue:

One or more decorative images are not marked as artifacts. Mark decorative images as artifacts so they are ignored by screen readers. In PDFs, this is typically done by setting the image as an artifact in the document structure.

Tables

Table structure, headers, merged cells, and layout-only tables.

Table Headers

Automated check

Checks that all tables have proper header tags to identify row and column headers.

When it finds an issue:

One or more tables are missing proper header tags. Add header tags to identify row and column headers in tables. This helps screen readers understand table structure.
One or more tables are not properly tagged as table structures. Tag table elements properly so they are recognized as tables by assistive technologies.

Table Alt Text

Automated check

Checks if presentation tables have appropriate alternative text.

When it finds an issue:

One or more tables are missing alternative text. Add table alt text that summarizes the table's purpose and key content.
Some tables have generic or unhelpful alternative text. Replace generic table alt text with a concise description of the table's purpose and content.
Some tables have alternative text that may not describe the table well enough. Improve the table alt text so it accurately summarizes the table for screen reader users.

Table Cell Merging

Review needed

Checks that table cells are not merged, as merged cells can cause accessibility issues.

When it finds an issue:

One or more tables contain merged cells. Unmerge table cells and restructure the table to avoid merged cells. Consider using separate tables or alternative layouts.
Table has a complex structure that may be difficult for screen readers to navigate. Simplify table structure by avoiding merged cells and ensuring clear row/column relationships.

Layout tables are marked

Automated check

Checks that tables used for layout purposes (not data tables) are properly marked so they are ignored by assistive technologies.

When it finds an issue:

One or more layout tables are not properly marked as layout tables. Mark layout tables appropriately so screen readers ignore them. Layout tables should be marked as artifacts or have their role set to 'presentation' to indicate they are not data tables.

Content Readability

Content patterns that affect navigation, comprehension, and readability.

Empty Text Boxes

Automated check

Checks for empty text boxes in presentations.

When it finds an issue:

One or more empty text boxes were found. Remove empty text boxes so assistive technologies do not encounter meaningless objects.

Lists are used where needed

Automated check

Checks if lists are properly formatted using list styles rather than manual formatting.

Font Size is Readable

Review needed

Checks whether presentation text is likely to be readable at presentation size.

When it finds an issue:

One or more text instances may be hard to read in presentation mode. Increase small text to a readable size or simplify the slide content.

Text colors have sufficient contrast

Automated check

Checks if text and background color combinations meet accessibility contrast requirements.

Color is Not the Only Meaning Cue

Automated check

Checks whether text color is used as the only way to communicate meaning.

When it finds an issue:

One or more slides may use text color as the only way to communicate meaning. Add text labels, symbols, grouping, or another visible structure so the same meaning is available without relying on color.

D2L/PDF extension

Additional catalog definitions for D2L and PDF-oriented workflows.

Document

Document-level metadata and language settings.

Tagged PDF

D2L/PDF extension

Checks whether the source PDF exposes a usable structure tree for assistive technologies and element-level analysis.

When it finds an issue:

The PDF does not expose usable structure tags. Export a tagged PDF from the source document, then rerun the check.

These checks are defined in Inkable's shared accessibility check catalog. The checks that apply depend on the document surface and file type being analyzed.

Installation & First Scan UI Guide