Creating Accessible Documents: Word and PDF

To take part in online training for Creating Accessible Documents: Word and PDF, you will need the following:

Access to a desktop/laptop computer with a stable internet connection
Course Handbook (we will provide)
Working headphones/microphone/speakers
Access to Teams meetings
*Please Note: If you register to complete the Creating Accessible Documents training online, you will require Microsoft Word (at least 2016 for PC or 2016 for Mac OS) and Adobe Acrobat PDF Pro (DC preferred or 10/11) installed on your computer to take part in remote training. If you do not have these already, you may be able to install trial versions (subject to the software owner’s agreement). Please bear this in mind when choosing to attend a remote version of this training.

Learn the fundamentals of how to create accessible Word and PDF documents in this highly interactive computer-based workshop.

Suitable for anyone who uses Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat, we’ll teach you how to ensure your digital documents are accessible to everyone, including people with disability.

Developed in accordance with WCAG 2.2 and best practices developed by our team of experts, this course aligns with the Australian Government’s Digital Service Standard.

Course Content

This highly comprehensive course is designed for a general audience – no prior knowledge of accessibility is required. Taught on PCs, a basic working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat is recommended.

Background to document accessibility
- How inaccessible documents affect different disability groups
- How people use assistive technologies to access content within digital documents
- Australian legal requirements
- Applicability of WCAG and PDF/UA standards to electronic documents

Techniques to create accessible electronic documents:
- Language
- Use of colours
- Text format
- Links
- Layout

Techniques for accessible Word documents:
- Accessibility assistant
- Headings
- Lists
- Blank lines and spacing
- Images and alternative text
- Links
- Simple tables
- Complex tables
- Columns
- Table of contents
- Text boxes

Converting Word documents to PDFs:
- Use the built-in PDF maker
- Configure the PDF maker for accessibility
- Test the resulting PDF for accessibility
- Common errors and fixes for Word exports

Advanced techniques for accessible PDF documents:
- Create, modify and check tags
- Test and correct the reading order
- Associate images with alt text
- Edit document properties
- Add bookmarks
- Use the TouchUp Reading Order tool

Course Materials

You’ll receive a comprehensive digital manual containing:

Step-by-step instructions on how to implement techniques using Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.
The rationale for using specific techniques and positive impacts for the end-user.
Explanations, examples, tips, and tricks to help you apply accessible practices day to day.

Cost

Price listed is per person, including GST.

$825 full fee
$745 (group booking 4 + attendees)

Timetable

Wednesdays 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm AEDT
March 4, 11, 18, 25

Cancellations

You may only cancel your registration by written notice to digitalaccesstraining@visionaustralia.org. See below for our refund policy.

Course enquiries

Email: digitalaccesstraining@visionaustralia.org

Creating Accessible Documents: Word and PDF - March, 2026: Vision Australia

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All Sessions Full Fee ticket

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