Accessible Documents Fundamentals

This practical and hands on training will provide you with the knowledge to create accessible Word documents and convert them to PDF. The course will leave you with the knowledge of what makes an accessible document as well as the confidence to create an accessible Word document and the fundamentals of PDF accessibility.

Topics Covered

1. Overview of Digital Accessibility and disability
2. Accessibility standards
3. Document accessibility principles and guidelines
   1. Optimising your file
   2. Text styling
   3. Design and layout considerations
   4. Images, charts, smart art and other non-text content
   5. Use of colour
   6. Tables
   7. Links
   8. Using in-app checkers
4. Accessibility in Microsoft Word
5. Export to tagged PDF
6. Basic accessibility in Acrobat Pro
7. Using the Acrobat Pro Accessibility Checker

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand document accessibility principles and how they are applied to different elements used within a document
• Use Microsoft Word to create an accessible Word document
• Export a Word document to PDF using the correct method
• Understand the basics of PDF accessibility
• How to use the inbuilt Accessibility Checker in Acrobat Pro

Assumed Knowledge

No prior knowledge of accessibility is required—just a basic understanding of Microsoft Word!

Software Required

• Access to Microsoft Word on PC or Mac
• Access to Acrobat Pro on PC or Mac (this is the paid version of Acrobat If you do not have access to the paid version, you will still be able to follow along. Consider if a free trial may be available for the software you can utilise.)

(Note: Training materials are based on PC; Mac users may experience slight differences.)