Overcoming the barriers to WCAG and PDF/UA compliance with Accessible PDFs

Handouts

Scheduled at 9:00 am in Independence on Thursday, November 14.

Speaker(s)

• Chad Chelius, Trainer/Consultant/Accessibility Wizard, Chax Training and Consulting

Session Details

• Length of Session: 1-hr
• Format: Lecture
• Expertise Level: Beginner
• Type of session: General Conference

Summary

There's a difference between an accessible PDF and a compliant PDF. If you or your organization is striving for PDF compliance to the WCAG or PDF/UA standard, there are challenges that you'll encounter during the process. This session aims to address many of those challenges and how to overcome those hurdles so you can achieve compliance with your PDF documents.

Abstract

When you or your organization strives for PDF compliance, it can seem a bit daunting as the number of errors you receive on your files seems overwhelming. Many of those errors however are fairly easy to fix with some knowledge and know-how. This session aims to explain what many of those errors mean, and offers ways to fix those errors so you can truly make your PDF files compliant. You'll learn which automated checkers you can use to check your files for PDF compliance and we'll demystify the meaning of those errors so you understand why you're getting them and how to address them. Although we'll mention some 3rd party applications that you can use to assist in making your files compliant, this session will focus on addressing most of the errors using Adobe Acrobat.

Keypoints

1. Making PDF files compliant can reduce legal risk while ensuring that your document is accessible to all users.
2. Making your PDF files compliant limits accessibility barriers for users of assistive technology.
3. Making your PDF files compliant ensures that your content is accessible as possible as it relates to standards

Disability Areas

Cognitive/Learning, Mobility, Vision

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Assistive Technology, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized

Speaker Bio(s)

Chad Chelius

Chad Chelius is a trainer, author, consultant, and speaker as well as Director of Training Solutioins and Principal for Chax Training and Consulting. He resides in the Philadelphia area and has been using Adobe products for over 25 years. He began his career in the design and publishing industry. As an Adobe Certified Instructor and consultant he teaches and advises on all Adobe print and web products, specializing in InDesign and InCopy workflows, Illustrator, automation, and PDF accessibility using InDesign, Word, and Adobe Acrobat. He works with clients both large and small in and outside of the United States, helping them to solve design, workflow, and accessibility challenges using Adobe products. Chad is a LinkedIn Learning author and you can connect with him on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Handout(s)

• Overcoming the barriers to WCAG and PDF/UA compliance with Accessible PDFs