WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

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Re: Word/PDF accessibility guide

for

From: L Snider
Date: Feb 22, 2016 8:45AM

I would also add that it is important to add in things for people with
cognitive disabilities. This has been left out of a lot of the guides out
there.

It is pretty standard stuff, like use white space, keep your margins at a
'normal' level if you can, try to keep consistent fonts, sizes, don't crowd
the page, etc.

Basically it all makes the document more usable, as well as accessible.

Cheers

Lisa

On Mon, Feb 22, 2016 at 9:33 AM, Andrew Kirkpatrick < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
wrote:

> Years ago we had a one-page (two sides) document that highlighted a few
> key points to consider in Word to avoid many accessibility issues. The
> advise was similar to Duff's, but it focused a lot on the importance of
> using Word's functionality to convey document structure correctly. Things
> like alt for images, using headings, creating
> tables/lists/hyperlinks/columns with Word's tools (rather than mocking
> these up in any way), etc.
>
> And of course, making sure that tagged PDF is created.
>
> In my experience I would spend a good chunk of time teaching people how to
> use styles correctly. It not only saves time, but enhances accessibility.
>
> Thanks,
> AWK
>
> Andrew Kirkpatrick
> Group Product Manager, Accessibility
> Adobe
>
> <EMAIL REMOVED>
> http://twitter.com/awkawk
> http://blogs.adobe.com/accessibility
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 2/22/16, 10:24, "WebAIM-Forum on behalf of Terzian, Sharon" <
> <EMAIL REMOVED> on behalf of <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> >Thank you. They know how to type. That doesn't make them Word
> proficient. Something my regular students find out the hard way. But this
> isn't graded, just in service.
> >
> >sent by flying monkeys through cyberspace
> >
> >
> >
> >On Mon, Feb 22, 2016 at 7:22 AM -0800, "Duff Johnson" <
> <EMAIL REMOVED> <mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> >> wrote:
> >
> >Hi Sharon,
> >
> >If they barely know Word at all, these would be my "top 5" tips in terms
> of where to focus...
> >
> >1. Train them - with religious fervor - to use Styles, and to avoid
> inline styling to the extent possible.
> >
> >2. While on the above subject, train them to use headings to structure
> the document properly. This practice may also help them to think logically,
> and could help them in presenting their ideas in general...
> >
> >3. Ensure they provide alt. text for figures and graphics.
> >
> >4. Ensure they do not rely on color contrast in graphs and charts, and
> preferably, to provide a tabular version of the information presented in
> each chart / graph.
> >
> >5. Train them to be sure to use PDF creation software which produces
> "tagged PDF".
> >
> >That's my $0.02 for today!
> >
> >Duff.
> >
> >
> >
> >> On Feb 22, 2016, at 06:08, Terzian, Sharon < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi
> >> I've been asked to teach a short class to non-techies on how to be pro
> active as far as Accessibility when using Word and then probably making it
> a PDF.
> >>
> >> I teach Word now and know it has the accessibility checker as a part of
> it. I also know the challenges when you make it into a PDF, it doesn't
> always go well.
> >>
> >> I found a few things online, but the people that are in attendance
> barely know Word. Plus I'll need a 'start' file as this training will be
> hands on (I reserved the lab that I teach in). They tend to use a lot of
> tables for layouts.
> >>
> >> I know Word inside and out, but
> >> because I generally am teaching college students, most of whom can
> barely spell these days, never mind care about accessibility (and yes I've
> tried to push and include more of this every semester, but I"m not in
> charge), I'm not even overly
> >> familiar with what can be done. I know and have always said the best
> thing you can do is plan ahead on your layouts, colors, etc. I know about
> the headings and hierarchies, I know about tags for photos, etc. My
> expertise is web design.
> >>
> >> Any suggestions or resources you know of (I have already download the
> WebAIM documents), please suggest away.
> >>
> >> Thanks.
> >>
> >> Sharon Terzian
> >> Webmistress/Sherlock Center @ RIC
> >> Adjunct Professor/School of Management @ RIC
> >> http://www.sherlockcenter.org
> >> http://www.dubowitzsyndrome.net
> >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >
> >
> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > >