Published on: 25/06/2026 · Last updated on: 25/06/2026
SCULPT
Six steps to accessible teaching materials
Build these in from the start — across documents, slides, webpages, audio and video.
Structure
- Use built-in heading styles, not just big bold text
- Use real bullet and numbered lists
- In PowerPoint, check the slide reading order
Colour & contrast
- Keep text-to-background contrast high
- Don’t rely on colour alone — add labels or patterns
- Check your colours with a contrast tool
Use of media
- Add alt text describing each image’s purpose
- Add captions to your videos
- Provide a transcript for audio
Links
- Write link text that says where it goes
- Never use “click here” or paste long URLs
- Warn people if a link opens in a new tab
Plain English
- Use short, direct sentences
- Spell out acronyms and explain key terms
- Avoid jargon and vague wording
Tables
- Set row and column headers
- Avoid merged cells, nested tables and blank rows
- Use tables for data, never for layout
Based on the SCULPT framework, adapted by the University of Bath from Worcestershire County Council. SCULPT by Helen Wilson is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.