Advanced PDF accessibility
(2 days)
About the course
Creating accessible PDFs is about so much more than simply tagging your documents. That's why this course also includes in-depth coverage of a wide range of accessible content creation techniques. Employing these techniques will not only ensure that you produce the most accessible documents possible, but will also save you time, both in the content creation stage itself and in later editing.
Duration is typically two days but can vary depending on the number of modules taken and trainees' individual requirements. Level: beginner to advanced.
Client testimonials for this course
Course outline
Module 1 — Word (2003, 2007 or 2010)
Creating accessible PDFs from Microsoft Word. Topics include:
- Understanding Word version differences, bugs and workarounds
- Working with templates
- Applying structure with headings, lists, links, tables of contents …
- Images, alt text, and handling charts effectively
- Designing data tables for accessibility and usability
- Colour contrast issues and understanding colour blindness
- Text formatting issues
- Avoiding common design problems
- Meta data
- Creating a tagged, bookmarked PDF
Module 2 — InDesign (CS3 to CS5.5)
Creating accessible PDFs from InDesign. Topics include:
- Understanding key InDesign version differences
- Applying structure with headings, lists, hyperlinks …
- Images, alt text, and handling charts effectively
- Designing complex tables for accessibility and usability
- Colour contrast, colour blindness, backgrounds
- Text formatting and font encoding issues and techniques
- The limitations of mapping styles to tags
- Setting the reading order
- Bookmarks and tables of contents – issues and techniques
- Meta data
Module 3 — Acrobat Professional (8, 9 or X)
Topics include:
- Workflow tips
- Understanding key Acrobat/Reader and InDesign version differences
- Understanding Acrobat PDF accessibility tools
- Editing PDFs for multiple platforms and devices
- Applying structure with headings, lists, hyperlinks …
- Images and alt text
- Footnotes, abbreviations/acronyms, URLs and the language of parts
- Data tables: from simple to complex and beyond
- Advanced tagging techniques
- Tables of contents and bookmarks
- Scanned documents
- Accessible comments/annotations
- Accessible redactions
- JavaScript accessibility enhancements
- Document management
- How and why to avoid opening PDFs in a browser
Module 4 — PDF forms
Topics include:
- Optimising layouts for accessibility and usability
- Accessible text fields, radio buttons, check boxes, dropdowns and buttons
- Understanding the design implications of screen reader forms mode
- Forms mode workarounds
- Using simple scripts to enhance accessibility
- Tab order
- Tagging
- Validation
- WCAG 2.0 "AA" compliance
- Testing with JAWS, NVDA, ZoomText and Dragon
Optional additional topics
- Calculations using FormCalc and/or JavaScript
- Form distribution online and by email, including collation of data
Module 5 — testing/WCAG 2.0 compliance
Topics include:
- Overview of accessibility and the law (UK)
- Techniques, methods and workflows for assessing PDF accessibility
- Testing colour contrast and for colour blindness problems
- Testing forms, including understanding screen reader "forms mode"
- Understanding key screen reader version differences
- Testing with: JAWS/NVDA; Zoom Text; Dragon Naturally Speaking
- Understanding different Acrobat/Adobe Reader versions
- Understanding the limitations of automated accessibility testing
- Mapping WCAG 2.0 "success criteria" to PDF accessibility techniques
Client testimonials
Carol Jamieson, Professional Skills Development Manager, Sense
"Ted delivered Creating Accessible Documents training to staff from a variety of backgrounds and departments in Sense and all found it a really interesting session, which stimulated lots of discussion and made everyone feel more confident about generating documents that will meet the needs of the people we support. We would thoroughly recommend the training to others."
Chris Winter, The Open University
"The training was motivating, inspiring, interesting and informative. It very clearly highlighted the untapped power within our documents and provided us with the in-depth knowledge to produce fully accessible documents at no greater time and cost to the production process. Ted's proven knowledge was delivered in a comfortable manner, with easy explanations helping to engage delegates fully with the subject matter."
Jayne Miles, Website Manager, Dover District Council
"Thank you Ted for the accessible PDF course. I learned so much about all the hidden Acrobat features as well as all the other accessibility tools around. I would recommend two days for anyone wanting to gain a thorough knowledge. It really is an excellent course."
Nicola Howie, Citizens Advice
"The Accessible PDF course was excellent. The training was clearly delivered and tailored to meet our needs. Ted's experience and knowledge has equipped us with the ability, understanding and confidence to create PDFs in an accessible way."
Further information
For further information please call us on 01932 355 222 or 07918 952 874.
