Google Accessibility with Grackle!

Google Workspace tools can be challenging to make fully accessible using built-in features alone. Grackle Workspace helps bridge that gap by guiding you through common accessibility issues in Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets and showing you exactly what needs to be fixed.

In today’s Tech Tuesday, we share resources to help you get started with Grackle, the new accessibility tool now available to all colleges, and highlight a few features that make creating more accessible documents easier and more manageable.

Launching the Google Accessibility Checker

Grackle Docs, Slides, and Sheets have been installed on all college accounts. Therefore, you can simply go to Extensions and find Grackle there as long as you are logged into your college email account in your web browser: 

1. Click Extensions
2. Click Grackle Docs
3. Click Launch! 

Note: The first time you launch the tool, you will need to go through the authentication steps. You have to accept all permissions for it to run. Check out the QRG for a walkthrough. 

4. Work through the accessibility issues shown in the panel re-checking as you go to see progress. 

Tagging Tables Video

One of the most challenging aspects of digital accessibility for content creators is working with tables. When tables are not structured correctly, screen readers cannot interpret the information in a meaningful way for students. Grackle helps by guiding you through how to properly mark up tables in Google Docs so they are easier to navigate and understand for screen reader users.

Watch 📺: 3-minute video demonstrating how to tag tables using Grackle Docs (created by Juliet)

Converting a MS .docx File to Google Doc

If you usually use Microsoft Word and want to give Grackle a try, you can open a MS Word document in Google Docs then convert to Google Docs. To do that: 

1. Open the Word doc (.DOCX) file from Google Drive 
2. Go to File
3. Click ‘Save as Google Docs’

4. The Google Doc version will open and you can proceed with using the Google Accessibility Checkers QRG

Making Google Slide Presentations Accessible

Do not forget that Grackle supports Google Slides, too. If you build slide decks for lectures, trainings, or meetings, use the guide, Google Slides Accessibility, to walk through the key fixes in Grackle Slides, including checking slide structure and reading order, confirming meaningful titles, and adding alternative text to images so your presentation is easier to navigate with assistive technology.

Converting a MS .ppt File to Google Slides

If you usually use Microsoft PowerPoint and want to give Grackle a try, you can open a MS PowerPoint document in Google Docs then convert to Google Docs. To do that: 

5. Open the PowerPoint (.pptx) file from Google Drive 
6. Go to File
7. Click ‘Save as Google Slides’

Google Sheets Accessibility

Finally, we would be remiss to not mention Grackle Sheets available for making Google Sheets accessible. The process for launching the tool and working through the sheet is the same.

Watch 📺: Grackle Sheets Screencast Video from University of Hawaii at Manoa (starting at 1:00 after launching the checker)

Conclusion

Grackle Workspace allows us to remediate Google Workspace documents to meet accessibility standards. Similar to Microsoft Word, providing Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets in their native formats, rather than converting them to PDFs, is the preferred approach for ensuring students have accessible access to course materials. Start with one document, slide deck, or spreadsheet and let Grackle guide you through the process. Small, intentional improvements can make a meaningful difference for students, and the CTLA team is here to support you along the way.