Web Development
Web Developer Guidelines
Visual Design Recommendations

Checkpoint 12.2 - Core

PDF and MS Word files are accessible

DEECD Requirement

DEECD Guideline

If the information in your documentation is not presented in an accessible format some users may not be able to access it.

Requirement

All MS Word and PDF documents available for download from a Departmental website must be inherently accessible.

Recommendation

A fully accessible PDF or MS Word document should address or provide workarounds for the following issues:

  • Correct hierarchical structure of the Document, e.g. correct heading structure
  • Use of true headings, lists and other elements in content structure by applying Word Styles rather than simply enlarging the font size and making it bold
  • Logical structure or reading order, especially for the documents with column layout
  • Ability to reflow or reformat when the text is magnified
  • Alternative text for images
  • Descriptions of all data tables
  • Disable or limit document security settings
  • Provide document navigation through bookmarks and in-document links.

Visit the Adobe website  (www.adobe.com/accessibility/) for more information on Adobe PDF accessibility issues.

Checking Tool

Navigate through the PDF document using bookmarks and links.

Procedures for editing and checking metadata (Word - 38KB) can be viewed for both MS Word and PDF documents.

 

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