Using the Order Panel

The Order Panel is a more visual way to edit the tags in a PDF. It's more intuitive to use than the Tags Panel, but has some limitations. Thus, it should be the first step in checking a document after checking the accessibility and/or tagging it with Make Accessible.

The most straightforward process of correcting tags with the Order Panel is to go through the document twice. The first time, you will check the accuracy of the tags present, and in the second, you will check the reading order.

PDF Accessibility

PDF is a curious case for accessibility. On one hand, it has the potential to be a useful standard for both accessible reading and for printing. On the other, it is rarely utilized in an accessible manner and has many obscure issues and odd behaviors that can lead to problems.

Using the Tags Panel

The Tags Panel displays the primary structure of the document. While the Order Panel provides tools to restructure what content is grouped together, how it is labeled, and when it is read, the Tags Panel gives more granular control over the latter two aspects. The order of the tags is the reading order of the document, moreso than that displayed by the Order Panel, and each tag serves a specific semantic purpose (besides grouping tags like <Part> and <Sect>).

Assistive Technology

Assistive technology (AT) is an umbrella term that refers to devices or software that provide aid to those with disabilities. In regards to digital accessibility, this includes screen readers, magnifiers, braille displays, speech recognition software, and alternative input devices, among others. This page collects some informational resources on AT and links to some useful tools.

Overview of Accessibility Legal Considerations

Checklists and Tips for Instructors

  • The accessible syllabus template is a vital resource to provide an accessible starting point for your course syllabi. However, the accessibility of these documents relies on it being considered at every revision. It is not sufficient to build your syllabus from the template and assume that the resulting document is accessible.