CYMC 862 - Making PDFs Accessible
Course Description
Did you know that standards that meet the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) need to be fully implemented by 2025?
One of the key requirements of AODA is ensuring digital documents are accessible to everyone. This means any new PDF has to be designed in keeping with these standards. Additionally, all existing PDFs have to be updated to ensure digital accessibility. This can be time consuming and costly, especially when working with external vendors. That’s why this skillset is in-demand by employers to have in-house. By getting a microcredential in this area, you will not only increase your marketability, but you will also contribute towards a sustainable, digitally-accessible future.
What to Expect
This Curv Microcredential shows that you can use common tools to ensure PDF document accessibility. This includes the ability to identify and remediate accessibility issues in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro, to reduce barriers within your PDF documents before sharing them with others.
When you sign up, we provide refresher resources and practice exercises that you can do on your own to prepare. Then, you will be asked to complete an assessment showing what you can do. Your work will be reviewed by an expert and you will receive a personalized result. If you meet our standard for expertise, you will receive a Toronto Metropolitan University Curv Microcredential from The Chang School that proves you can:
- Evaluate PDF documents for missing or improperly implemented accessibility elements
- Use relevant features in Adobe Acrobat Pro to apply accessibility fixes
- Effectively remediate document accessibility issues related to structure and layout, images, forms, tag trees, and other elements
You will not be provided with the source document and will be using PDF techniques from W3C’s Web Accessibility Initiative.
If you do not currently have Adobe Acrobat Pro, you will be required to purchase your own copy. It is recommended that you use the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Pro available as a subscription. Only versions later than V11 should be used.
Meet the Industry Expert
Meet Greg. This Curv Microcredential was created by Greg Gay, expert in web accessibility since the mid-1990s and lead on many research and development projects in information technology and accessibility. Greg is an expert in both the technical and non-technical aspects of accessibility, evangelizing inclusive design as a best practice for building IT systems that are usable by everyone.
Who Should Take This Program?
This Curv Microcredential is designed for someone who works with PDFs and Adobe Acrobat Pro on a regular basis. For example, you may be a graphic designer or communications specialist tasked with ensuring all PDF documents you share are accessible. The program is suitable for someone who is:
- Looking to gain formal recognition for expertise in document accessibility
- Concerned about digital barriers
- Tasked with ensuring that your workplace is AODA compliant
This credential demonstrates your commitment to digital inclusion for yourself, your workplace, and your community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for this microcredential?
You should have foundational knowledge and skills in evaluating and remediating accessibility issues in PDF documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro before enrolling. If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of the following statements, then you may be ready to enroll:
- I have used Acrobat Pro's Action Wizard or Accessibility tool to fix the accessibility of PDF documents.
- I am confident that I can conduct an accessibility check of a PDF document.
- I am confident that I can demonstrate how to add alt text for images in a PDF document.
- I am confident that I can demonstrate how to manually edit PDF tags in a document's tag tree.
- I am confident that I can demonstrate how to label a PDF form to make it accessible to screen readers.
- I am confident that I can demonstrate how to add page numbers to a PDF document.
- I am confident that I can demonstrate how to make a PDF form interactive.
- I am confident that I can demonstrate how to use Acrobat Pro's OCR tools.
- I am confident that I can demonstrate how to use Javascript to customize PDF form interaction.
What do I need to do for the assessment?
For the assessment, you will be identifying potential accessibility issues in a PDF document using Adobe Acrobat Pro, and remediating them to optimize accessibility and usability. Once you complete the assessment, you will receive your result from an expert assessor.
What are the technological requirements for the assessment?
You will need a:
- Recent version of Adobe Acrobat Pro available as a subscription. Only versions later than V11 should be used
- Stable Internet connection (no minimum connection speed required)
- Computer with an Internet browser (e.g., Edge, Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.)
- Mobile phone* capable of receiving an SMS text message *Why do I need a mobile phone? To log in to the my.torontomu.ca portal and access the microcredential environment (D2L Brightspace), you will need a mobile device for two-factor authentication.
*Why do I need a mobile phone? To log in to the my.torontomu.ca portal and access the microcredential environment (D2L Brightspace), you will need a mobile device for two-factor authentication.
How much time do I have to complete the assessment after enrolling?
Your microcredential will last two weeks. In the first week, you will have access to the microcredential environment (D2L Brightspace) to explore the supporting materials and practice activities that prepare you for the assessment. The supporting materials are self-paced and can take approximately two to seven hours to complete, depending on your prior knowledge and experience.
In the second week, you will gain access to the assessment. You will be able to open the assessment window at any time within that second week. Depending on the microcredential, the assessment window may be time limited (for example, three hours).
What are my support options?
Upon enrolling, you will have access to refresher resources and exercises. Your expert assessor will be available through the D2L Support Forum for any questions prior to the assessment. If you have any questions or experience any technical issues, you may contact Toronto Metropolitan University’s Computing and Communications Services (CCS) by email or phone.
What happens once I complete the assessment?
Once you complete the assessment, you will receive personalized feedback and a mastery score from the expert assessor.
If you are able to demonstrate mastery and pass the assessment, you will receive a shareable Toronto Metropolitan University digital credential. This credential can be shared on your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or anywhere you want to display your achievements.
If you are not able to demonstrate mastery and do not pass the assessment, you can re-enrol and try again when the next offering of this microcredential is available. Be sure to review your personalized feedback and ensure that you have filled any gaps in knowledge or skill before registering for a future offering of this microcredential.