Overview
InDesign Accessibility and Section 508 Compliance provides professional InDesign users with the knowledge and techniques to create documents that meet WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549 accessibility standards. This course goes beyond basic tagging to cover the complete workflow of structuring documents for accessibility, writing effective alt text, and validating compliance before delivery.
Participants will learn to build accessibility into the document creation process rather than retrofitting it later, troubleshoot common accessibility issues, and leverage automation tools to streamline alt text and tagging workflows. Through hands-on exercises, you’ll develop practical skills for producing publications that are usable by everyone, including people who rely on assistive technologies.
Format: 1 Day | Live Online (VILT) or On-Site
Who Should Attend
- Professional InDesign users preparing documents for accessibility compliance
- Government and education designers meeting Section 508 requirements
- Publication designers serving diverse audiences
- Production professionals adding accessibility to their workflow
What You’ll Learn
- Understand WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549 requirements for documents
- Structure InDesign documents with proper reading order and hierarchy
- Apply export tags and article threading for accessible output
- Write effective alt text that conveys meaning to screen reader users
- Automate alt text workflows using scripts and built-in tools
- Test document accessibility and troubleshoot common issues
- Create accessible tables, lists, and complex layouts
- Export accessible PDFs that pass validation checks
Course Outline
Module 1: Accessibility Standards and Fundamentals
- Understanding WCAG, Section 508, and EN 301 549 requirements
- How screen readers and assistive technologies interpret documents
- Common accessibility barriers in designed documents
- Building accessibility into the design process
Module 2: Document Structure for Accessibility
- Creating logical reading order with the Articles panel
- Using paragraph styles for semantic structure
- Applying export tags for proper heading hierarchy
- Managing content flow across complex layouts
Module 3: Alt Text Best Practices
- Writing effective alt text for different image types
- Identifying decorative vs. meaningful images
- Adding alt text in InDesign’s Object Export Options
- Handling complex graphics, charts, and infographics
Module 4: Alt Text Automation
- Using InDesign’s built-in alt text features
- Leveraging scripts for batch alt text application
- Working with metadata and XMP for alt text
- Streamlining workflows for large document sets
Module 5: Tables, Lists, and Complex Content
- Creating accessible tables with proper headers
- Formatting lists for screen reader compatibility
- Handling footnotes and cross-references accessibly
- Managing color contrast and visual accessibility
Module 6: Testing and Troubleshooting
- Exporting accessible PDFs from InDesign
- Testing with Adobe Acrobat accessibility checker
- Troubleshooting common export and tagging issues
- Remediation strategies for problem documents
Prerequisites & Technical Requirements
- Minimum one year of professional InDesign experience
- Familiarity with paragraph styles and document structure
- Computer with Adobe InDesign and Acrobat Pro installed
Customization Options
This course can be customized to address your organization’s specific compliance requirements, document types, and accessibility policies. We can incorporate your existing templates for accessibility exercises, focus on particular standards most relevant to your industry, and develop workflows aligned with your production environment.