Microsoft introduces SharePoint Pages Authoring Accessibility Assistant

Empowering Content Creators with Authoring Accessibility Assistant​

Creating inclusive and accessible content has never been easier! Introducing the SharePoint Pages Authoring Accessibility Assistant, a groundbreaking tool designed to support content creators in building SharePoint pages that meet accessibility standards. This innovative feature offers real-time checks and actionable guidance, ensuring your pages are welcoming and accessible to everyone.

At Microsoft, we are committed to making technology inclusive for all, and this latest update underscores our commitment to accessibility across the SharePoint experience.

Feature Highlights​

Simple Activation​

Getting started is effortless. To activate the Accessibility Assistant:

• Open your page in Edit mode.
• Access the right toolbar and select Accessibility Assistant to initiate the scan.
  
  
  

Real-Time Accessibility Checks​

Instantly identify areas for improvement and celebrate what you have already done right!

The Accessibility Assistant provides:

• Checkmarks for content that meet accessibility standards.
• Numerical Indicators to highlight opportunities for enhancing accessibility.
  
  
  

Comprehensive Coverage​

The Accessibility Assistant evaluates key elements on your pages, including:

• Text web part
• Image web part
• Quick links web part
• Hero web part
• Banner web part

Targeted Accessibility Insights​

Address common accessibility challenges with precision. The Assistant checks for:

• Page structure: Catch inconsistent heading orders.
• Alt-text: Identify missing descriptions for images.
• Links: Highlight blank or incomplete links.
• Tables: Detect missing table headers.
• Color and contrast: Spot text with hard-to-read contrast levels.

Resolving Accessibility Issues​

Resolving accessibility issues is straightforward and intuitive:

• Click on an issue card to navigate directly to the affected content.
• Follow the recommendations provided to fix the issue.
  
  
  
  
  Note: Clicking 'I fixed it' means the color contrast issue is marked as resolved and will not be detected again during this session. Clicking 'Ignore' skips the issue and returns to the previous state.

• Once all issues are resolved, you will see the reassuring “Looks Good” message.
  
  
  

The features and capabilities mentioned in this blog post are demonstrated in the following video with Tina Chen (Microsoft) and Vesa Juvonen (Microsoft).

Frequently asked questions​

When will the SharePoint Pages Authoring Accessibility Assistant be available?​

General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, and DoD): Rollout begins in early February 2025 and feature is expected to be fully available worldwide by end of February 2025.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 976819.

How do I use Accessibility Assistant to my page?​

Follow our detailed step-by-step guide: Use the SharePoint Pages Authoring Accessibility Assistant - Microsoft Support.

What is next?​

Accessibility Assistant will soon also be available in Amplify.


Thank you for exploring the SharePoint Pages Authoring Accessibility Assistant. We cannot wait to see how you use this feature to create pages that inspire and include everyone. Have questions or feedback? Share them in the comments — we are here to help!