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Re: PDF/A accessibility

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From: Ron Stewart
Date: Aug 9, 2011 2:36PM

Duff, actually this is not true as you and I have discussed previously!

There are some shortcomings in regards to accessibility in PDF/UA as it is
currently structured. Those are retention of reading order and pagination
which are necessary components for producing accessible PDF documents. I
find it to be continually problematic that the spokespeople for PDF
accessibility to continue to ignore these inherent flaws in what is
purported to be an "accessible" implementation.

Ron Stewart

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Duff Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 1:09 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] PDF/A accessibility

Jon,

> Does anyone know if there are any particular accessibility limitations
> to PDF/A documents compared with standard PDF documents

There are none... unless you are relying on JavaScript to enhance
accessibility in a PDF form, for example. (PDF/A prohibits JavaScript).

> , and/or if there are
> any special steps that should be taken to ensure PDF/A documents are
> accessible?

There are no "special" steps other than those steps required to make any PDF
accessible (tagging). That said, a good workflow for accessible PDF/A
documents would start with ensuring that you can readily convert the PDF to
PDF/A before investing significant time/effort into tagging.

> The specific situation we're facing is converting fairly simple Word
> docs (no images, no tables, no multiple columns) to PDF/A, but any
> experience anyone has with this would be very helpful.


1) Ensure the files are properly structured prior to conversion (ie, focus
on accessibility in the source document)

2) Convert to PDF using software that preserves that structure, converting
it into tags in the PDF. Both Adobe Acrobat's "PDFMaker" plugin for Word
(Windows) and Microsoft Office itself can do this.

3) Validate the tags, etc. per normal.

4) Convert to PDF/A once the file is otherwise finalized.

I hope this helps.

Duff Johnson

US Committee for ISO/DIS 14289 (PDF/UA), Chair

p +1.617.283.4226
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