Grackle for Google Docs webinar recording now available

In case you missed our recent Grackle for Google Docs workshops, we’ve made the recording available via an on-demand webinar to help faculty and staff ensure that the Google Docs they create and share meet the university’s digital accessibility requirements.

The webinar recording offers practical, step-by-step guidance on using Grackle Docs (available in Google Docs), and provides a clear strategy for reviewing, correcting, and publishing accessible digital documents.

The training supports the university’s commitment to meeting WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standards per updated ADA Title II regulations.

A proactive approach to accessible documents

The recording introduces a simple three-step decision framework to guide the review of existing Google Docs:

1. Remove outdated or unnecessary files
2. Replace content with a more accessible format when appropriate
3. Remediate documents that must remain in Google Docs by using the Grackle add-on

This method helps areas prioritize their workload while ensuring that essential materials are improved and kept compliant.

Hands-on guidance using Grackle Docs

The bulk of the webinar provides an in-depth demonstration of Grackle Docs, recommending a “work backwards” approach that begins with readability issues before addressing larger structural elements.

Participants learn how to:

• Improve readability through color contrast, font choices, paragraph length, and descriptive links
• Correct lists, footnotes, and headers/footers to ensure proper tagging and screen-reader behavior
• Structure tables accurately and avoid layout tables
• Apply proper heading hierarchy for navigability
• Write effective alternative text for images and identify decorative content
• Fix metadata issues, including document titles and language settings

The webinar also stresses the importance of human review, noting that automated tools cannot catch every issue (e.g., color contrast within images, clarity of language, and logical reading order).

Visit the Boise State Accessibility website to access the recording: