Accessible PDFs from Acrobat

Overview

We have over 15 years’ experience in training people how to create accessible PDFs from Acrobat. Having completed the course, you should be able to tag PDFs from scratch, or edit and finish PDFs created in InDesign or Word, and to then test them for accessibility against standards, using both automated accessibility checkers and multiple assistive technologies (not just screen readers).

Core topics

  • Workflow and how to approach the process of making PDFs accessible
  • Overview of the relevant standards
  • Applying document structure
  • Understanding both PDF reading orders
  • How to write appropriate alt text
  • Optimising infographics and other complex images for dyslexic and other print disabled users
  • Tables: from simple to complex
  • 6 must-know linking techniques
  • Navigation: tables of contents, bookmarks and page numbering
  • Footnotes and endnotes
  • Scanned documents
  • Document management 
  • Issues with browser plug-ins 
  • Benchmarking against standards
  • Testing with (and understanding the limitations of) automated accessibility checkers
  • Testing with multiple assistive technologies

Optional topics

  • Introduction to scripting to solve accessibility problems
  • Dealing with mathematical expressions
  • Using axesPDF QuickFix

Details

  • Audience: web editors, managers and publishers, graphic designers, academics, libraries and anyone needing to make PDFs fully accessible
  • Participants: we recommend a maximum of 6
  • Duration: 1 day (additional time may be required if optional topics are covered)
  • Prerequisites: none

Client testimonials

The amount of knowledge that’s communicated within the PDF courses is immense. A large subject area is broken down into bite-sized chunks and Ted explains skillfully the accessibility issues at hand and then walks participants through with practical examples. The workbooks and reference materials provided are a continual benefit to the teams I have sent through the courses. As an Accessibility Lead at a Public Sector Organisation I’m grateful that I can outsource this area of education to an expert willing to share knowledge so thoughtfully.
Mike Jousiffe, Digital Accessibility Lead, Historic Environment Scotland, UK

Anybody wishing to know more about accessible PDFs should look no further.

David Barrett, BT Senior Inclusion and Accessibility Manager

Ted delivered fantastic PDF accessibility training that was engaging, knowledgeable and easy to follow.

Pete Modral, Senior Digital and Marketing Manager at Equality and Human Rights Commission

Ted’s knowledge and experience in the industry is incredible and so too was his ability to make an otherwise complex subject matter exciting and interesting. Thank you.

Julia Mclellan, CalMac, Digital Content Executive

The training was motivating, inspiring, interesting and informative. Ted’s proven knowledge was delivered in a comfortable manner, with easy explanations helping to engage delegates fully with the subject matter.

Chris Winter, the Open University

Terms and conditions

Please see our booking terms and conditions  (PDF, 149KB).

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.