How do I make my PDF accessible?
All PDFs that are used to apply for, gain access to, or participate in a Berkeley service, program, or activity must meet WCAG 2.1 AA requirements.
Learn more about the ADA Title II updates.
Use a different digital format
Using a different digital format to provide your information will, in many cases, be an easier and faster process than creating or remediating a PDF.
Convert your PDF to web page content
Consider adding your information directly onto your web page in HTML instead of adding a PDF link.
Good option for:
- Text based content
- Frequently updated content
- Content that users will access on mobile
Learn more about how to re-create a PDF as a web page.
Convert your PDF to an accessible Google Doc
Google Docs are much easier to make accessible compared to PDFs and can easily be made public.
Good option for:
- Text based documents
- Documents that users may want to print
- Frequently updated content
Learn more about how to how to re-create a PDF as an accessible Google Doc.
Convert your PDF form to a web-based form
PDF forms are very difficult to make accessible. We recommend, if possible, converting your PDF form into a web-based form. Some options include:
Create an accessible PDF
If you must keep your file as a PDF, you will need to make sure it meets WCAG 2.1 AA requirements.
Export from an accessible source document
A source document is the original file type your PDF was created in. This could be a Word document, a Google Slide, or an InDesign file, among others.
- Build an accessible source document from another format. Learn more about building accessible source documents in Google Workspace and Microsoft Suite.
- Convert your source document to a PDF. Be careful to convert your file correctly. Do not save to print. This removes all of the hard work you have done to improve the accessibility of your document. If it's a Google Doc, use Grackle to convert it to a PDF.
- Run the Accessibility Checker in Adobe Acrobat. More information about the Adobe Accessibility Checker can be found here: Create and verify PDF accessibility (Acrobat Pro)
Note: Accessibility issues may still be present in your file, even if Adobe does not report any accessibility issues. A manual review is required.
Hire a vendor
We strongly recommend hiring a PDF remediation vendor for fillable forms or other complex documents.
The most up-to-date information about PDF remediation vendors can be found on our Accessibility Vendors page.
Remediate your file
As a last resort, you will need to remediate your PDF to meet WCAG 2.1 AA requirements.
These courses will teach you how to remediate most documents:
- LinkedIn Learning: Creating Accessible PDFs (5 hour course)
- LinkedIn Learning: Advanced Accessible PDFs (6 hour course)