The Accessible Document Flywheel – a proactive institutional approach to solving document and PDF accessibility issues

Scheduled at 1:45 pm in Matchless on Wednesday, November 13.

Speaker(s)

• Eugene Woo, Founder, CEO, Venngage

Session Details

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

Summary

The Accessible Document Flywheel is a proactive approach to solving document and PDF accessibility issues by shifting responsibility from remediation teams to document creators. In many institutions, the continuous creation of inaccessible PDFs overwhelms small remediation teams. Venngage’s flywheel model addresses this by embedding accessibility into document creation from the start.

Abstract

In many organizations, creating accessible documents for all audiences remains an overwhelming challenge. The root of the problem often lies in the reactive approach to accessibility—focusing on document remediation after content has been created rather than integrating accessibility from the start. Traditional remediation methods, managed by small teams, cannot keep pace with the steady influx of new, inaccessible documents. This endless cycle resembles a game of "whack-a-mole," where every fixed issue is quickly replaced by new ones.

Enter the Accessible Document Flywheel, a proactive, self-sustaining model designed to shift accessibility from a remediation effort to an integral part of the document creation process. Inspired by the principles behind successful systems at companies like Amazon and HubSpot, this flywheel empowers content creators—from faculty and administrators to department staff—to design accessible documents from the outset. By embedding accessible practices and tools within the standard workflow, this model reduces the burden on remediation teams and fosters a culture of inclusivity and compliance.

In this session, we’ll break down how the Accessible Document Flywheel operates, including key steps like implementing accessible templates, employing real-time accessibility checkers, and integrating feedback loops to continually improve document creation practices. The session will also highlight the necessary foundation—comprising tools, processes, and training—to sustain this flywheel over time, ensuring that accessibility becomes second nature across the organization.

Attendees will gain a roadmap to creating an inclusive document ecosystem that not only meets compliance standards but also creates a self-perpetuating system for continuous accessibility. The Accessible Document Flywheel isn’t just about solving the backlog; it’s about future-proofing your document strategy to be more inclusive and efficient from the ground up.

Keypoints

1. Traditional remediation methods cannot keep pace with the steady influx of newly created documents.
2. Shift document accessibility from a reactive to a proactive approach by document creators.
3. Creating a flywheel by empowering a critical mass, leading to exponential growth in accessible documents.

Disability Areas

All Areas

Topic Areas

Accessible Course Design, Teaching about Accessibility in Curriculum, Uncategorized, Web/Media/App Access

Speaker Bio(s)

Eugene Woo

Eugene Woo is the founder and CEO of Venngage, a powerful online DIY design tool that empowers anyone to create impactful and accessible images, infographics, PDFs, and other visual content.