Accessibility

Week 1 (March 1-4): Inventory your PDFs and identify next steps

Week 1 Goals

1. Inventory the PDFs used in the courses you teach and/or on the websites you manage.
2. Identify those that are no longer in use and the ones you want to keep that are inaccessible. Begin thinking about which PDFs could be converted to another format or kept as PDFs but made more accessible.

Why it matters

This exercise is helpful because many participants find there are old PDFs available on websites/courses that are not only inaccessible, but outdated, and need to be removed.

Week 1 Assignment

1. Review the PDF List Template instructions
2. Create a copy for your own use, rename it and save to the Submission Folder.
3. Update your Google Sheet with which PDFs can be:
   1. Removed from your website
   2. Converted to an accessible format, such as a Google Doc, web page, or web form.
   3. Kept as a PDF and updated to include accessibility features.
4. Remove any PDFs identified as outdated or no longer needed.
5. Download/Install Adobe Acrobat DC
   1. Open Software Center (PC) or Self Service (Mac) and install Adobe Creative Cloud then install Acrobat DC.
6. Review the PDFs you would like to keep. On the spreadsheet, mark those for which:
   1. The text is not selectable in the right order or form fields are not enterable. 
   2. The document is complex (e.g., multi-column layouts, embedded charts and diagrams, etc.). 
7. Optional support:
   1. Open Training Hours
      1. Wednesday, March 2 (1:00 - 3:00pm) Click to join this Zoom Meeting
      2. Thursday, March 3 (10:00am - 12:00) Click to join this Zoom Meeting
   2. If you cannot attend during Open Training Hours and need specific assistance or training, please contact Matt Sauthoff at sauthoffm@appstate.edu. 

Coming Up

(March 14-18) will focus on transiting identified PDFs to more accessible formats. Enjoy Spring Break!