Microsoft PowerPoint: Using Templates and Themes Effectively

Overview

This article explains how to select and modify PowerPoint templates and themes to support accessibility. Choosing the right design helps ensure readability, proper contrast, and a better experience for all users.

Considerations

• Choosing an accessible theme improves overall presentation accessibility
• No built-in way to pre-check accessibility of themes before applying them
• Simpler designs with minimal distractions are more accessible
• Templates can be modified to improve accessibility (colors, contrast, layout)

Steps:

Create a New Presentation

1. Open PowerPoint
2. Select More Themes
   
3. Choose a theme with good color contrast and simple background

Remediate an Existing Presentation

1. Open PowerPoint
2. Go to the Design tab
   
3. Select a theme with better contrast and simpler design
4. Modify colors using the Variants section if needed