Overview
Accessible PDFs aren’t just a legal requirement for many organizations—they’re the right way to create documents that everyone can use. This course teaches you to create PDFs that meet WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549 standards, ensuring your documents work for people using screen readers and other assistive technologies.
You’ll learn how document structure and tagging work, how to establish proper reading order, write effective alt text, and use Acrobat’s accessibility tools to check and fix your documents. Whether you’re creating reports for government agencies or publications for the general public, you’ll build accessibility into your workflow from the start.
Format: 2 Days | VILT
Who Should Attend
- Document creators responsible for accessible deliverables
- Designers preparing files for accessibility compliance
- Government contractors meeting Section 508 requirements
- Educators and communicators reaching diverse audiences
What You’ll Learn
- Understand WCAG, Section 508, EN 301 549, and PDF/UA requirements
- Create proper document structure with tags and headings
- Establish logical reading order for screen readers
- Write and apply effective alt text for images
- Use Acrobat’s Accessibility Checker to identify issues
- Fix common accessibility problems efficiently
Course Outline
Module 1: Accessibility Standards and Fundamentals
- Why PDF accessibility matters: legal, ethical, and practical reasons
- Overview of WCAG 2.1/2.2 requirements for documents
- Section 508 and EN 301 549 compliance requirements
- Introduction to PDF/UA (Universal Accessibility)
Module 2: Document Structure and Tagging
- Understanding the tag tree and document structure
- Heading hierarchy and semantic structure
- Paragraphs, lists, and text structure
- Tables: headers, scope, and proper markup
Module 3: Reading Order and Navigation
- How screen readers navigate PDF documents
- Using the Reading Order tool
- Fixing reading order problems in complex layouts
- Bookmarks and document navigation
Module 4: Images and Alt Text
- When images need alt text—and when they don’t
- Writing effective, concise alt text
- Complex images: charts, diagrams, and infographics
- Decorative images and artifacts
Module 5: Accessibility Checking
- Running Acrobat’s Accessibility Checker
- Understanding checker results and priorities
- Automated checks vs. manual verification
- Creating accessibility reports for stakeholders
Module 6: Fixing Common Issues
- Adding and editing tags
- Fixing heading structure problems
- Repairing table accessibility
- Setting document language and title
Prerequisites & Technical Requirements
- Basic Acrobat skills
- Adobe Acrobat Pro installed (latest version recommended)
Customization Options
This course can be tailored to your compliance requirements—Section 508 for U.S. federal work, WCAG for general accessibility, or EN 301 549 for European standards. We can work with your actual documents and templates to build accessible workflows specific to your organization.