Improve accessibility for specific document/content types. Be sure to also review the core concepts for creating accessible content.
How to create accessible...
- Google Docs and Slides
- Microsoft Word documents
- PowerPoint presentations
- PDFs made using Acrobat Pro
- PDFs converted from Microsoft Word
- PDFs converted from InDesign
- Images made using Illustrator
Check a PDF for accessibility
Appalachian State Faculty/Staff can download Adobe Creative Cloud and install Adobe Acrobat. Once Acrobat is installed, open the PDF:
- Can one word of text be highlighted/selected?
- Can the text be read aloud and does it make sense?
- To check for read aloud: View menu, select and activate Read Out Loud, then select Read this page only and listen to your document.
- If answers are “yes”, your document meets minimum requirements for accessibility.
- If answers are "no", then your document doesn't meet minimum requirements and you need to convert or remediate content. See PDF Conversion or use SensusAccess.
PDF conversion (if needed)
- Follow the steps to use the Accessibility Action Wizard.
- Example video showing these steps (1.54 min)
- Grainy or pixelated scans may not convert, and may require re-scanning of a clean hardcopy of the original content.
Additional PDF Resources
- Creating Accessible PDFs LinkedIn Learning course (5h 33min)
- Check PDF accessibility in Adobe LinkedIn Learning video (4min 59)
Accessible document conversion
SensusAccess is a self-service document conversion tool available to all App State students, staff, and faculty. SensusAccess converts text and image-based files into more accessible formats. It can also be used to transform text and image-based files into different outputs including audio, Braille, or e-text formats.