Embedded Files
Accessible PDFs are tagged documents with proper reading order, headings, alt text, and searchable text. Untagged or scanned PDFs are often unreadable by screen readers, creating barriers for students who rely on assistive technology. Ensure that PDFs are uploaded to D2L as tagged and structured PDFs. Instead of uploading a scanned image of a reading passage, use a properly tagged PDF where students can highlight, search, and navigate using headings.
The following practical steps include information that is specific to PDFs. Other items must also be reviewed and addressed including: Heading structure, alternative text for images, document language, descriptive hyperlinks and so on. Review other topics under Accessible Content Guidance for full PDF accessibility.
Guidance to Improve PDFs:
Guidance to Improve PDFs:
Ensure Text is Searchable And Selectable
Ensure Text is Searchable And Selectable
Avoid using scanned images of text.
If scanned images must be used, apply OCR (optical character recognition) to make text selectable and readable by screen readers.
WCAG Alignment
1.4.4 Resize Text (AA): Text must remain readable when resized up to 200%.
1.4.12 Text Spacing (AA): Users must be able to adjust spacing without losing content or functionality.
Recommended Actions:
Use actual typed text in shared files.
Scan document with OCR using YuJa Panorama.
Test by highlighting, copying, or searching text. If it works, it is likely readable by assistive technology.
Ensure Effective PDF Tags
Ensure Effective PDF Tags
Use proper PDF tagging for headings, lists, tables, images, and other structural elements.
Verify that tags reflect the correct reading order and semantic meaning.
Avoid manually formatting text to look like headings without applying heading tags.
WCAG Alignment
1.3.1 Info and Relationships (A): Relationships between content elements must be programmatically determinable.
2.4.6 Headings and Labels (AA): Headings must accurately describe the content they introduce.
Recommended Actions:
Utilize YuJa Panorama's PDF remediation tool in D2L.
Run the accessibility checker before exporting Word and PowerPoint files to PDF to preserve effective tags automatically. The same can be done using Grackle in Google Docs.
Verify Correct Reading Order
Verify Correct Reading Order
Verify that the content flows logically from start to finish when read by a screen reader.
Check that tables and multi-column layouts are tagged correctly.
WCAG Alignment
1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence (A): Content must be presented in a meaningful order.
Recommended Actions:
Utilize YuJa Panorama's PDF remediation tool in D2L.
Check that the content flows logically from top to bottom and left to right for text, images, and tables. If not, reorganize the reading order.
Before Adding a PDF Consider the Following:
Before Adding a PDF Consider the Following:
Is there a specific reason for using the format? Through YuJa Panorama's Alternative Formats feature, students have the ability to download course content in several desired formats including PDF.
Depending on the complexity of the file, making PDFs accessible often requires post-production time, effort, and knowledge.
Many articles and eBooks are available through the ECC Library Database and often include clean scans of documents and built-in accessibility features.
When linking to content found in the database ensure that the permalink is being used instead of the URL. Each platform may have this listed in a different location. This can be listed as Get Link, Create Link, Share, or other titles to obtain the correct permalink for the content.
Resources:
Resources:
Creating an Accessible PDF from Microsoft Word | University of Washington
Creating More Accessible PDFs with Grackle Docs | TLi Knowledge Base
Common PDF Tags and Their Usage | Section 508
Videos:
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