> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://yes-i-can.gitbook.io/learn/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://yes-i-can.gitbook.io/learn/skill/sad.md).
# "SAD"
Because inaccessibility makes everyone SAD. Inaccessibility prevents students from learning in a timely manner and also frustrates teachers.
This will be our mnemonic device for remembering our accessibility techniques. It stands for:
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[**Structure**](/learn/skill/structure.md)
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[**Appearance**](/learn/skill/appearance.md)
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[**Descriptions**](/learn/skill/descriptions.md)
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We will focus on these three topics as our basic starting point for skills in using accessibility techniques. This is all about starting small.
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Learning these techniques and implementing them may take time. In my dissertation, general education teachers wanted at least three months before the start of the school year to prepare for having a blind or low vision student in their classroom. But you might be notified with only one week to spare (or less). Start now!
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By the way, you have arrived at the Skill section of the website! We dig into the various techniques that may be implemented when creating accessible digital content, and short activities ("Your Turn!") will allow you practice these techniques for yourself!
> "\[Teachers] never had a reason to learn \[how to create accessible digital content]...they never had a \[blind or low vision student]."
>
> -Student
In the future, video demonstrations will be added that will show:
* how to use the techniques
* how a screen reader would read inaccessible content
* how a screen reader would read accessible content
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What to Use: When creating accessible digital documents, it's best to start by using the **desktop application for Microsoft Word**. Word 365 documents may also be edited within the desktop application. Mac versions of Word do not offer as many robust accessibility features.
Once you get the basics down in Word, then you can move onto other platforms like Google Docs. The principles are similar!
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We will start by creating a Word document and giving it two things:
* a File Title
* a File Name
File Titles are different from File Names. The File Title is considered as behind-the-scenes metadata that will be recognized by your student's assistive technology. It will stay with the file even if it is converted to a different format, like a PDF.
***
### Worked Example
Via the Yes I Can Skill webpages (also denoted with a shovel icon), we will use a Word document as a sandbox for learning how to create accessible digital content. Any time a section entitled Your Turn! appears, this will prompt you to get ready to work on your document.
Let's start by setting up your document.
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#### Open the desktop application for Word and start a new blank document.
Note that the File Name of your document is Document1.
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#### Save the Title of your document.
Go to File > Info. Under Properties, locate Title. For Title, type **Yes I Can** and hit enter.
Notice that this did not change the File Name (it should still be "Document1").
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#### Save the File Name of your document.
Go to File > Save As. Enter **Yes I Can** for your file name and hit enter.
Now both your File Title and File Name should be Yes I Can.
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***
### Video Tutorial
The following video shows you how to save file titles and file names in a Word document for accessibility. The transcript is available via the [Yes I Can - Video Transcripts Google Doc](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bHRzhhf7WkWpp8qN-HrdqhHhzxEfP_c-mZc9oXc3u0g/edit?tab=t.0).
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***
### Your Turn!
Using the above information as your guide, practice creating and saving Word documents with File Titles and File Names.
***
:copyright: 2026 Kerry S. Lueders. All rights reserved.
