This article will describe how to create accessible PDFs with a checklist for all items you need to address. First Steps for PDF Remediation Remediating PDFs for web accessibility can be more time-consuming than creating a webpage. Complex PDFs, such as forms, are even more challenging to make web-accessible. Clean up and get rid of outdated files. Ensure PDFs are smaller than 30-40KB. For the PDFs that you need to keep, see if you can turn them into simple One Stop forms or One Stop articles. Remediation The most efficient way to remediate a PDF is to correct accessibility issues in the original source file. This checklist shows how to fix your PDF starting from the original Word document or InDesign file. It also includes instructions to fix a PDF directly in Acrobat. In cases where you don't have the original source file, you can convert the PDF back into a Word document and edit your document in Word using the Accessibility Checker. Some documents will convert well and others will not. For example, a document that was originally created in Word without too many design elements would be likely to give good results. Checklist for PDF Remediation This section lists the steps to create an accessible PDF. Instructions and video tutorials will show you how to create accessible documents in Word, InDesign, and Adobe Acrobat.  Proper and Meaningful Title Set Document Language Add Tags to a PDF Alternate Text for Images Heading Structure Bookmarks Format Embedded Links List Structure Table Structure Tab and Reading Order Forms Color Contrast Use Simulators to Verify Your Document One Stop Resources Digital Ally Resource Hub Digital Ally Toolkit

This page hosts a collection of recorded webinars designed to help you master the art of creating accessible documents. Whether you're a faculty member, staff, or student, these sessions will provide you with practical skills and best practices for ensuring your PDFs and Word documents meet WCAG accessibility standards. 1.0: Creating PDFs with Word View the PowerPoint: Creating Accessible PDFs from Word.ppt View takeaways in the One Stop Article: Core Topic: Accessible Document Structure In this workshop, you’ll learn about document structure, including metadata, headings, and lists, with a quick look at table accessibility if time allows. You’ll create an accessible Word letterhead template and work with a sample Word document to convert it into a PDF. We’ll also explore the Navigation Pane in Word and review PDF tags in Adobe. 1.1: Thanksgiving Accessibility Feast Challenge View the Challenge: Thanksgiving Accessibility Challenge.docx Join us for a fun Thanksgiving-themed session where we review alt text, headings, color contrast, and captions. Use tools like the Style Pane to create accessible Word templates and PDFs through hands-on, interactive challenges. 2: Creating Accessible Tables in Word View the PowerPoint: Creating Accessible Tables in Word.ppt In this session, we will continue our journey into creating accessible documents, focusing on table accessibility in Word. You’ll learn the steps needed to create an accessible rubric, with hands-on activities to guide you through the process. 3: Creating PDFs with Word Series Finale View the PowerPoint: Creating Accessible PDFs with Word Finale.ppt Accept the Challenge!: VCSU Viking Accessibility Quest.docx This session brings everything together as you apply your accessibility knowledge to tackle the ultimate challenge: the VCSU Viking Accessibility Quest. Complete the final hands-on tasks and earn your well-deserved Word Accessibility Champion badge! For more information or to schedule training, please contact: Debbie Dramstad Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) Web Accessibility and Applications Specialist Technology Services debra.dramstad@vcsu.edu