Making exams accessible

Some students use screen reader devices (such as JAWS) when taking exams. To make sure exams are accessible for these students, the exams may need to be converted from PDFs or inaccessible Word documents to accessible Word documents. The Access Center staff can convert them, as long as they are received at least one week before the scheduled exam. Alternately, you may create accessible exams on your own, and submit the test 48 hours before the exam. When creating an accessible exam, keep in mind that questions must be readable to a screen reader, and graphics or images may need to be described. Please see the examples below. If you have questions or are unsure whether an exam is accessible, please contact Access Center staff.

Images and graphics

Example pyramid chart titled Overview of Integrated Marketing Communications.

The preceding image becomes the following text:

A graphic of a pyramid titled “Overview of Integrated Marketing Communications.” The pyramid has five tiers/levels. The categories found on each tier are listed below:

  1. Regulation and Ethics; Evaluation.
  2. Database, Direct Response, and Personal Selling; Sales Promotions; Public Relations and Sponsorships.
  3. Traditional Media; Digital Marketing; Affirmative Channels.
  4. Advertising Management; Advertising Design Theory & Appeals; Advertising Design Messages & Frameworks.
  5. Corporate Image Brand Management; Buyer Behaviors. I.M.C. Planning Process.

Charts and graphs

Example bar graph titled Types of Fraud.

The preceding image becomes the following text:

A bar graph titled “Types of Fraud.” The graph compares types of fraud in 2011 to the same types of fraud in 2014. The data on the graph is listed below:

  • I.P. Infringement, including theft of data: 16% in 2011 and 19% in 2014.
  • Money laundering: 4% in 2011 and 6% in 2014.
  • Human resources: 0% in 2011 and 6% in 2014.
  • Accounting fraud: 16% in 2011 and 23% in 2014.
  • Cybercrime: 40% in 2011 and 44% in 2014.
  • Bribery and corruption: 7% in 2011 and 13% in 2014.
  • Procurement fraud: 0% in 2011 and 27% in 2014.
  • Asset misappropriation: 93% in 2011 and 69% in 2014.

Formulas and equations

Example equation

The preceding image becomes the following text:

f of x = the square root of 1 + x = parenthesis 1 + x end parenthesis to the power of one half.