Google Docs, Sheets, Slides - Making Them Accessible with Grackle!

Grackle is a Google Suites add-on that works with Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets. 

We often have items in the G-Suite but either don't think about the accessibility or check the accessibility of Google Docs using Microsoft Word; an inefficient, multi-step workflow.

Google Docs has 22 checks against established WCAG 2.0 standards, Sheets has13 checks, and Slides has 7 checks.





It’s the law. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a piece of federal civil rights legislation that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else. There are two sections of the ADA, section 504 and section 508. Section 504 - making accommodations for students with disabilities, such as giving students extra time on an exam, and providing a ramp for wheelchair access. Section 508 - all course materials must be accessible for all students.

The ID team’s focus is Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 using the WCAG 2.1 Principles as our benchmark.  

In this tutorial, you will see how to access the Grackle Add-on and use it checking the accessibility of a Google Doc.

Grade Proof - a proofreading add-on for the Google Chrome browser

Use the GradeProof add-on for proofreading and improving your writing submissions.

This is a free web-based application that is a Google Chrome browser add-on.  This is not an extension so you will not find it in the Google Chrome store, but get it through the add-on tool on the menu bar when in Google Docs.





This Google Chrome add-on is a free tool which allows you to take any written document, load it into Google Docs and instantly get feedback on that writing.  You will get feedback on grammar, spelling, and word usage along with various statistics about word count, sentences, and other information which could be helpful.

You are alerted to the errors with a color-coded key which alerts you to the type of errors and how many of each are in this writing.  Clicking on the error alert, gives you suggestions for how to fix it.  When you have made all the adjustments, just apply the changes and you are good to go with that paper!

Great tool for students to use, and Instructors may want to share this tutorial with students who could use some help.

Google Tools, Apps and Add-ons - Google Tips #1

Google has a great suite of applications, tools and add-ons which can enhance your workflow.   

Here is another tutorial which demonstrates: templates, voice typing, commenting, revision history, research tools, and a built-in dictionary tool.






There are a number of "add-ons" you can activate in your personal Google workflow space. Many of these add-ons work in Sheets, Docs, Slides, etc. - others just work in one tool. They can help create efficiencies, make collaborative activities a little easier, and help with your productivity in completing your task. There are other Google App & Google Add-ons tutorials in this guide and more will follow.

Using Google Docs Add-Ons for increased functionality

Using Google Docs and a tool available when you open a doc, you can gain access to many apps which can increase the functionality of the Google Doc app.

Some of the Apps to consider:

• Consistency Checker
• Mind Meister
• Document Merge
• Twitter Curator
• Open ClipArt
• Template Gallery
• Google Translate
• Google Maps
• g(Math)

You can access these and many more from the toolbar in Google Docs!

There are also Add-Ons available for Sheets, Slides, Forms, etc.