Online documents, including PDFs, Word documents, and PowerPoint files, must meet web accessibility standards.
Before posting a document to the website, consider whether the content needs to be shared as a document at all, or whether it would be better presented as a webpage. Web content is often the better option when information is primarily informational or explanatory, needs to be updated regularly, or is intended to be read online rather than downloaded or printed. UMB’s web templates include built-in accessibility features and generally provide a more seamless and accessible experience than downloadable files.
When a Document May Be Appropriate
Documents such as PDFs, Word files, or PowerPoint presentations can be appropriate for printable forms, official records, or longer, self-contained materials such as reports, guides, or booklets that are intended to be downloaded and read as a document. When documents are used, they must be created or remediated to meet accessibility requirements before being posted.
Instructions for PDFs
PDFs are one of the most commonly used document formats on UMB websites.
Check PDF Accessibility
Use a tool like Equidox or Acrobat Pro to run a full check on every PDF you intend to post to the website.
Please be aware that there are some issues that an automatic checker cannot detect. For example, the checker will find whether a PDF is tagged, but it cannot always determine whether the tags are properly applied.
Create Accessible PDFs
When creating a PDF using an application such as Word or InDesign, make use of the accessibility features built into those applications:
Microsoft Applications (Word, etc.)
Adobe InDesign
Other Document Types
Accessibility requirements also apply to Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel spreadsheets.
