View Topic - Accessible PDFs

By Leah Smith

Ableism, a pervasive form of discrimination, marginalizes individuals with physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disabilities, often perpetuating the belief that they need to be 'fixed.' Rooted in societal norms and attitudes, ableism manifests in various ways, from the language used to treat people with disabilities to their exclusion from decision-making tables. Leah Smith, a passionate advocate, sheds light on the intricacies of ableism, challenging readers to examine their perceptions and actions.

Smith identifies the medical model of disability as a cornerstone of ableism, highlighting how society often equates 'difference' with 'wrongness.' By interrogating the assumption that medical history defines a person's identity, Smith confronts the bias embedded in discussions around disability and medical interventions. Additionally, she underscores how acts of perceived kindness, such as opening doors or offering assistance, can inadvertently reinforce notions of helplessness and pity, further perpetuating ableism.

Moreover, Smith emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, urging nondisabled individuals to actively include people with disabilities in decision-making processes. Accessible meeting locations, communication formats, and transportation are essential for ensuring equitable participation. By providing a seat at the table and treating disabled individuals with dignity and respect, society can dismantle ableism and foster genuine inclusivity.

Written By : Ashish Tiwari

How to check if a PDF is accessible?

The tricky thing about accessible and inaccessible PDF documents is that they, in most cases, look the same. In other words, they are visually identical. Therefore, it’s almost impossible for most users to tell whether the PDF they are looking at is accessible by looking at their physical view.

We have a detailed article about the differences between accessible and inaccessible PDFs; you can read it here: Accessible versus Inaccessible PDF documents

3 ways to quickly check whether a PDF is accessible

1 – Select the text in the PDF

This is the easiest and most convenient way to check whether a PDF is accessible. If there is text in the PDF, try selecting the text or select all using Edit > Select All from the top menu in Adobe Acrobat.

If instead of the text, the entire page gets selected (this is the most common case), then that is an image file and is, therefore, not accessible.

However, please note that this is a rudimentary method to test accessibility. If a PDF correctly selects text, it doesn’t mean that it is accessible; it can still be an inaccessible PDF.

In a community where diversity should be celebrated, it's crucial to correct the pervasive problem of ableism. Did you know that according to the 2012 U.S. Census, 1 in 5 Americans has a disability? This staggering statistic highlights the importance of understanding and combatting ableism, a set of beliefs and practices that devalue and discriminate against individuals with disabilities.

Anti-Ableism isn't just a buzzword; it's a vital set of strategies, theories, and actions aimed at correcting and countering ableism. It encompasses a wide range of efforts to remove barriers, inequalities, prejudices, and discrimination based on both apparent and non-apparent disabilities. But how can we actively combat ableism in our daily lives?

Using PDFs for on-screen reading is a common practice that often leads to frustration and inefficiency for users compared to standard web pages. Despite the convenience of PDFs for printing, they are not optimized for online viewing, causing usability problems such as difficulty navigating, slow download times, and lack of accessibility features. As Jakob Nielsen and Anna Kaley emphasize, PDFs are meant for distributing documents for printing, not for online consumption. 

The heavy text and graphics in PDFs increase file size and hinder navigation, making it challenging for users to find information efficiently. Furthermore, relying solely on PDFs overlooks the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in digital content, as they lack features necessary for users with disabilities to access information effectively.

Produced by The Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute Community and Professional Development Training Program

The guide titled "Becoming Anti-Ableist: A Disability Justice-Informed Approach to Supporting the Disability Community" offers a transformative pathway towards building inclusive communities and dismantling systemic barriers faced by People with Disabilities. Developed by the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute, this resource provides comprehensive insights and actionable strategies for professionals and community members.

At its core, the guide emphasizes the importance of inclusive practices across all levels of society – individual, community, and societal. It explores the pervasive issue of ableism and its detrimental impact on the lives of People with Disabilities, ranging from stigma to systemic discrimination. By adopting an anti-ableist lens, the guide advocates for a paradigm shift that recognizes disability as a form of diversity and empowers People with Disabilities as experts on their own experiences.

Through the "Six P's to Inclusive Practice" framework, faith communities are encouraged to foster welcoming and inclusive environments for People with Disabilities and their families. This holistic approach addresses key areas such as person, practice, place, programs, philosophy, and policy, highlighting the interconnectedness of micro, meso, and macro-level factors in fostering inclusivity.

Acrobat tools make it easy to create accessible PDFs and check the accessibility of existing PDFs. You can create PDFs to meet common accessibility standards, such as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and PDF/UA (Universal Access, or ISO 14289). The simple, guided workflow lets you do the following:

Make PDFs accessible: A predefined action automates many tasks, checks accessibility, and provides instructions for items that require manual fixes. Quickly find and fix problem areas.

Check accessibility: The Full Check/Accessibility Check tool verifies whether the document conforms to accessibility standards, such as PDF/UA and WCAG 2.2.

Report accessibility status: The Accessibility Report summarizes the findings of the accessibility check. It contains links to tools and documentation that assist in fixing problems.

by Nishal Desai

PDFs are a common go-to for sharing information online, but their use by public bodies often leads to accessibility barriers. Public sector websites frequently rely on PDFs for presenting information, especially about physical activities. This needs to change to ensure everyone, including People with Disabilities, has equal access to essential information. Moving away from PDFs to more accessible web technologies can help achieve this goal.

Using PDFs can limit the reach and effectiveness of information dissemination. They are static, challenging to update, and often not user-friendly on various devices. By adopting modern web technologies, public bodies can present information in more dynamic and interactive ways. This not only enhances user experience but also allows for better data tracking and understanding of community engagement.

Organizations should focus on creating inclusive and accessible content that benefits everyone, particularly People with Disabilities. Moving from PDFs to web-based solutions enables public bodies to provide up-to-date information, improve community health initiatives, and foster greater participation. Embracing digital accessibility standards is a step towards building diverse, vibrant, inclusive, and accessible communities.