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Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) – Universally DesignedAccessibility:Accessibility is a measure of how simply a person can participate in an activity. Accessibility continues to become more and more relevant to all of us. We use assistive devices without even thinking about it. For example, using handrails when going up and down stairs, holding on to a bar when taking transit, or using an automatic door opener when trying to carry multiple items through a door. While most forms of accessibility typically provide ways for most individuals to function in an environment, they often create separation between people who need accessibility features and those who do not. Universal design for learning (UDL) removes this separation and provides an environment that all people can use freely and without barriers. UDL is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn.Purpose:The Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) provides a convenient way to transport, view, and print electronic documents. This guide will discuss some of the features that make PDF documents more accessible by a diverse audience. It also provides techniques for improving the accessibility of existing and new PDF document.Creating an Accessible PDFPDF files are typically created in other applications like Microsoft Word and PowerPoint then converted to PDF. Steps to Convert Word, PPT, or Excel Documents to PDF:Creating a PDF from an Office electronic original is simple and fast. Many other software, such as Google docs, converts to pdf with similar steps.Open the Office fileSelect Save asIn the File name list, type or select a name for the documentIn the Save as type, list, click PDFClick SaveFeatures of an Accessible PDF:Images of Text vs Real TextOne of the biggest barriers to PDF accessibility occurs with “image-only” documents. An image-only PDF contains no actual text, only?an image of text. This type of PDF is typically created by scanning a printed page. Lacking any real text, an image-only PDF does not support valuable features such as searching, highlighting, text copy, and text reflow; nor will it allow the use of Adobe’s magnification and reading tools.A solution to the “image-only problem” is to recreate the PDF directly from the electronic source document.BookmarksEach PDF document contains a navigation pane called “Bookmarks.” Each bookmark is linked to a specific location in the document. It can also be linked to web pages or multimedia content. As a group, bookmarks function as a table of contents. They provide a conceptual display of the document structure and help users understand where they are relative to the rest of the document.Bookmarks can easily be added and edited in Adobe Acrobat Pro or CS. Adobe Acrobat Pro or CS must be purchased and downloaded to the computer being used. To create a bookmark with Adobe Acrobat Pro or CS:Choose EditAdd Bookmark (Ctrl+B) You can also create a bookmark from the Navigation pane: choose Options > Add Bookmark (Ctrl+B).TagsWhat are PDF tags? The technical answer is this: Tags define the function and order of content in a document. Many PDF tags resemble their counterparts in HTML. For example, there is a?<p>?tag for paragraphs,?<table>?and?<td>?for tables and table cells,?<h1>?for level 1 headings, etc. Although they are normally invisible, tags provide valuable interpretive cues to assistive technology like screen reader software, and are therefore an essential part of PDF accessibility.Fortunately, tags are generated automatically during conversion from Microsoft Office applications using the “Adobe PDF” menu. The Adobe PDF menu is a part of?Acrobat PDFMaker, an application added to Office applications when Acrobat is installed. If you have Adobe Acrobat DC installed on your computer, in Word go to File, Options, Add-ins, select Adobe PDF Maker, click Add. An ACROBAT tab should now be available in Word.Tags can also be added manually in Acrobat Pro or CS by choosing Advanced > Accessibility > Add Tags to Document. Once applied, tags can be edited to improve or customize document organization.Zoom and ReflowOne advantage of the PDF format is its ability to magnify a page up to 6400%. However, when magnification is increased, text can be pushed off-screen so that it is no longer visible without scrolling left or right. To make the document easier to read with magnification, Adobe offers a function called?Reflow.Reflow rewraps lines of text to fit within the display window, making scrolling unnecessary. This feature also works with the small screens of a mobile internet devices. Note that the Zoom and Reflow work only when a document contains?real text?and is?tagged.To use the Reflow feature, choose View > Reflow (Ctrl+4).Increasing the Accessibility of an Existing PFDChecking for AccessibilityUse the accessibility "Full Check" (available in both Acrobat X and XI). This can be a good tool to ensure that nothing was overlooked (e.g., document language). To run the full check, select?Tools?in the right-hand column, >?Advanced > Accessibility > Full Check. ReferencesACCESS to Postsecondary Education through Universal Design for Learning, Colorado State University, Community Colleges Accessibility Center, , National Center on Accessible Information, Technology in Education, (Web Accessibility in Mind), ................
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