Creating Accessible PDFs

As part of the BEST Grant's goals to support the implementation of braille instruction and braille technology, BEST is offering a professional development workshop focused on creating accessible PDF documents. The introductory training will focus on converting to PDF from an accessible source file as well as some steps for remediation. Accessible PDFs are also compatible with assistive technologies, supporting digital access for students who are visually impaired.

Dates/Times

October 17th and 18th, 2022. 9:00am - 12:00pm. 

Instructor

Rachel Schultz, AEM Specialist from the AT&AEM Center

Audience

  • Teachers and paraprofessionals working with students who are potential or current screen reader or other braille related assistive technology users.
  • Staff of Boards of Developmental Disabilities working with students who are potential or current screen reader or other braille related assistive technology users.
  • Other school staff working with students who are potential or current screen reader or other braille related assistive technology users.
  • Transcribers or accessible materials productionists.

Objectives

  • Participants will be able to explain why accurate heading levels are important to many screen reader users
  • Participants will be able to recognize common accessibility errors within PDF documents
  • Participants will be able to state that the Tag Tree determines the reading order of a PDF document and how to organize tags
  • Participants will be able to use Table Editor to appropriately set Cell IDs
  • Participants will be able to identify accessibility tools and their purpose within Adobe Acrobat

Description

This training was developed to assist those who support students who are visually impaired by providing an introductory level of understanding and creating accessible PDFs. This hands-on in-service spans two days, each half day in the morning and is meant for paraprofessionals, special educators, general educators, and other school staff.

Agenda

 Day 1 - October 17 from 9am-12pm

  • Overview of accessibility
  • Setting up and adding tools within Adobe Acrobat
  • Converting source files
  • Tagging the document and adding or deleting tags

Day 2 - October 18 from 9am-12pm

  • Tagging the document continued (including lists)
  • Simple and complex tables
  • Adding alternative text
  • Running the accessibility check

Logistics of the Training

This workshop will be presented on-line using Zoom, a platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars.

A laptop computer with a second external monitor will be shipped to you, at the address of your choice, for use in the training sessions. The computer will contain all of the needed software and example files needed for the training. 

In order to use the computer, access to the internet through Wi-Fi or through an Ethernet cable is required. The internet connection should have at least a 1 MBPS (megabit per second) or greater download capability.

After the training is completed, please pack the laptop, monitor and cords back in the case. An email will be sent to you with information on a UPS pickup date. 

Needed for Participation

There are no prerequisites for this workshop, but it is highly recommended that you have basic knowledge of document accessibility with Microsoft Word or other word generation software.  Please note that we will be using Adobe Acrobat Pro on the provided computers.  In order to continue creating accessible PDFs, you will need to have access to Adobe Acrobat Pro. Is recommended that you purchase or request the purchase of the application for your professional use.  

Contact Hours

Six (6) contact hours will be offered for participation.

Registration

  • This workshop is limited to 15 participants
  • Deadline for Registration: October 7, 2022.
  • You must have a Lending Library account in order to register and be provided the equipment.  By registering you are agreeing to return the equipment in a timely manner and in the condition it was received as well as any additional agreements per the Lending Library registration.

Register online via OCALI Pass

For more information contact Augusta Fisher at augusta_fisher@ocali.org