universal-design-center

PDF Accessibility

  Overview

PDF iconThis page is an overview of creating accessible PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Accessible PDF documents allow information to be readily available for assistive technology. Screen readers can easily navigate the content when accessibility is considered during the design process. This information will cover using the built-in Action Wizard and Accessibility Checker in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. This tutorial will also highlight basic PDF modifications for accessibility issues including accessibility set up, logical reading order, title, bookmarks, color contrast, images, forms (basic), tables (basic), lists, and headings. This will not only benefit people with disabilities, but overall usability will improve for all users. Accessibility is for everyone.

 Video Presentation in Panopto

 Video presentation in Panopto

  Presentation Slides

Accessibility Presentation

Adobe Creative Cloud software is now available for use (at no additional charge) on all faculty and staff university-owned computers, labs and classroom devices, and for all students. Please note that this deployment of Adobe software is not available for use on personally-owned faculty and staff devices at this time. Find out more.

  Video Tutorials


Video Credit:
The University of Alabama, Technology Accessibility - Creating Accessible PDFs with Adobe Acrobat Pro DC (total length 57:06 mins)

Creating Accessible PDFs Segmented Videos

 


Video Credit: The University of Alabama, Technology Accessibility - PDF Remediation Basics (total length 46:58 mins)

PDF Remediation Basics Segmented Videos

 


Video Credit: The University of Alabama, Technology Accessibility - Advanced PDF Accessibility: Scanned Documents, Tables, and Lists (total length 51:53 mins)

Advanced PDF Accessibility Segmented Videos

  Best Practices

  • When creating an accessible PDF, always convert from an accessible document (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, InDesign, Publisher, etc.). This will save you time and limit the number of accessibility edits to make in Adobe Acrobat. 
  • Always conduct an Accessibility Full Check first when you create a PDF. This tool will help you determine how much accessibility improvements your document needs. 
  • Review your page to make sure color contrast is clear. 
  • Consider Readability for content development
  • Use a concise document file name that doesn't include spaces
  • Make sure all footnotes or references marked as notes and reference tags are placed in proper reading order 

  Resources

  Related Tips