Build Better Electronic Documents

Best Practices

The concepts shared for making better web content also apply to other electronic document formats. However, the implementation may differ. 

Here are links from WebAIM with tips on making additional file types accessible:

PDF tips: When creating accessible PDFs, it’s easiest to start with an accessible word processing document. PDF/UA, or PDF/Universal Accessibility, is the international standard that describes the requirements for a Portable Document File (PDF) to be accessible. It was first approved and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 2012.

Scanning a print document?

Use a dedicated mobile app to ensure your scan becomes a functional PDF and not just an image without alternative text!

  • Adobe Scan is a great free option that works for all mobile operating systems, offers basic image modification features, and allows easy sharing via link or other apps. After scanning, remember to “Edit Text” to apply basic text and hyperlink recognition.
  • Microsoft Lens for Android and Lens for iOS. Here are MS Lens instructions from Metropolitan State University.
  • Abbyy FineReader (iOS only).

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