Going beyond the source document
A PDF that was not designed with accessibility in mind from the outset presents a significant challenge: it is impossible to correct everything without returning to the original software, even though the final document must comply with WCAG 2.2 and PDF/UA standards. Interactive forms introduce their own set of challenges: poorly marked fields, inconsistent reading order, inaccessible errors.
This course covers the entire remediation process in Acrobat: structuring, tagging, forms, and final validation. It also includes mastery of PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker), to interpret reported errors, understand the real cause and know the tool’s limitations in a professional context.
Is it for you ?
Graphic designers and editors who receive or produce PDF documents that need to be accessed.
Prerequisites
A working knowledge of Acrobat is required.Basic notions of digital document accessibility are an asset. Having completed the " InDesign: Designing and Exporting Accessible Documents" or "Word: Structuring and Writing Accessible Documents" training is also an asset. PAC software must be installed prior to training.
What You'll Walk Away With
- ✓ Tag and structure a PDF document to make it conform to WCAG 2.2 and PDF/UA standards
- ✓ Incorporate accessibility techniques specific to fillable PDF forms
- ✓ Validate a PDF document using the appropriate tools, including PAC
- ✓ Interpret errors reported by PAC to identify the cause and apply appropriate corrective action
Training content
1 Apply accessibility to a PDF document
- Understand the fundamentals of accessibility as applied to PDF documents
- Master the techniques for structuring an accessible publication in Acrobat
- Understand the role of tags and use the right semantics
- Insert and edit accessibility-critical metadata
- Manage document language and language changes
- Understand the issues related to visual perception, contrasts and the use of colour
- Differentiate between decorative and informative images and apply the appropriate treatment
- Properly structure content to facilitate navigation
- Establish an accessible table of contents
- Create and manage accessible links
- Structure tables that comply with accessibility best practices
- Understand how cross-references work and how to use them
2 Accessible PDF forms
- Understand the issues specific to fillable PDF forms
- Properly structure form fields
- Correctly associate labels, instructions, and input aids
- Understanding the expected behavior of forms with assistive technologies
- Identify common issues with interactive PDF forms
3 Accessibility validation and correction
- Explore the different validation tools available
- Understand the different validation approaches
- Demonstrate and validate expected behaviours using appropriate tools
- Identify the most common accessibility issues
- Determine the cause of the problems observed and apply the appropriate corrective measures
- Create a validation list adapted to your context
4 PAC Software (PDF Accessibility Checker)
- Understand the interface and general operation of PAC
- Understand the difference between PDF/UA, WCAG, and Quality validations
- Interpret error messages and identify their cause
- Analyze common issues with images, alt text, structures, metadata, and document settings
- Understanding the limitations of the software
- Using PAC as a tool to support validation and quality assurance
Keep in Mind
The PAC software must be installed before the start of the training.
📌 Practical information
Our training sessions are offered in Montreal or Quebec City, in person or in a virtual classroom. Dates and locations are specified when you select your session below. If you have any questions, check out our FAQ.
