PDFs are one of the largest and most consistent accessibility issues in ICON courses. Here are a few tips to resolve the most common concerns. Have more questions? The University of Iowa has multiple resources available to help you. 

• Use real text, not images of text: Scanned or picture-based text can’t be read by screen readers. Do not share scanned PDFs.
• Set document title and primary language: Titles help users identify the document, and language settings help screen readers pronounce words correctly.
• Provide descriptive alt text for any images: Alt text describes images for users who can’t see them. Keep alt text short and meaningful.
• Provide tooltips with any form elements: Tooltips (field descriptions) tell users what to enter, such as “Enter your full name.”
• Use clear fonts and readable text sizing: Choose simple, easy-to-read fonts and avoid small text.
• Tag all content properly: Tags identify each part of a document (like heading, paragraph, or list) so screen readers can understand its structure.
• Make sure document headings are properly nested: Follow a logical heading order (H1, H2, H3) so assistive technology can navigate easily.
• Provide well-formed data tables with headers and labels: Add header rows or columns so screen readers can describe how data cells relate.
• Review reading order for logical flow: Make sure content reads top to bottom, left to right, for accurate screen reader output.
• Check color contrast: Use tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker to make sure that colors in your document have enough contrast (e.g., dark text on a light background).

Resources to Help You with PDFs

Remove Old Files with TidyUP

Courses are often copied from semester to semester, with new files and pages being alongside previous iterations. By sorting and deleting older content, TidyUP can help you better understand what files are being used. Scan an entire ICON course site to see how many course files are being used. Get insights into whether pages are published, if they are linked in modules, if they have content in them, and when they were last updated.

Check Out Ally in ICON Sites

Once you’re removed unnecessary files, check your Ally gauges to get real-time feedback on course content. These indicators alert you to possible accessibility issues and offer step-by-step guidance on how to improve materials.

Talk to the SITAs About PDF Remediation

You can easily fix your course’s PDFs (and watch your Anthology Ally score improve!) with help from a Student Instructional Technology Assistant (SITA). Request a consultation with a SITA today.