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Creating Accessible PDF Files Using Microsoft Word 2010 and Adobe Acrobat X Pro
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Introduction
A Portable Document Format (PDF) file is accessible if it can be used by everyone, including
people with disabilities. A PDF document must be tagged in order to be accessible. Tags define
the structure of the document and communicate the order in which the items should be read. PDF
documents are not typically created in Acrobat. They are usually created in another program and
converted to PDF. This handout provides instructions on how to create accessible PDF files
using Microsoft Word 2010 and Adobe Acrobat X Pro.
Characteristics of Accessible PDF Documents
An accessible PDF document has the following characteristics:
The document consists of searchable text (not scanned images of text).
The document contains navigational aids such as bookmarks, headings, links, and a table
of contents.
Images and graphics have alternative text descriptions.
Forms contain interactive form fields and have a defined tab order.
The document's structural elements are indicated by tags.
The document's reading order is clear and easy to follow.
The document's language is specified.
The document's security settings do not interfere with assistive technology.
Creating Accessible Word Documents
Creating an accessible PDF file from a Word document will take less time if you design the
original source document with accessibility in mind. This means that you should add structure to
the document by using styles rather than direct formatting for such items as headings and lists,
add alternative text descriptions to images and graphics, use tables to organize and present data,
use columns to create a multi-column document, etc. If the source document does not include
accessible mark-up, you will need to spend more time in Acrobat after the conversion to make
the PDF file accessible.
Headings
A good heading structure is one of the most important accessibility considerations in Word
documents. Headings allow screen reader users to easily navigate through a document. They can
also be used to create a table of contents in Word documents and bookmarks in PDF documents.
Use the built-in heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) to format headings; do not
apply direct formatting. If you do not like the appearance of a built-in heading style, you
can easily modify it to suit your needs.
Do not skip heading levels (i.e., do not jump from a Heading 1 to a Heading 3).
Use meaningful and concise headings.
To apply a heading style:
1. Create a new document or open an existing document in
Microsoft Word 2010
.
2. Select the text that you want to apply a heading style to.
3. Do one of the following:
On the
Home
tab, in the
Styles
group, select the appropriate heading style from the
Quick Styles
gallery (see Figure 1).