Step By Step Guide to Section 508 Compliant PDFs is for the writers, editors, illustrators, managers, and content developers tasked with 508 compliance. It is NOT a legal guide to 508, nor is it a programmers’ reference manual.
It is a step-by-step guide with illustrated processes (LOTS of screenshots), steps (how to), and examples of section 508 compliance from Word documents to PDFs
So, why the Step By Step Guide to Section 508 Compliant PDFs?
Because web and media related 508 guidance for techies is readily available, but plain English 508 guidance for nontechies…for those of us using Word and creating PDFs, is just not easy to find.
508 for Web vs 508 for PDFs:
In a nutshell, Section 508 says that government materials should be accessible to people with visual, auditory, or physical disabilities. That includes electronic and information technology like web sites, documentation, and other media.
For techies – programmers, developers, coders, etc. – Section 508 Compliance is just another set of parameters. In fact, loads of information and resources are available on web and other code-based materials. For techies, details about tags, fields, and alt text are just steps to add on the “To Do” list.
The Content Generators
PDFs, however, are generally created from source files like Word, PowerPoint, and other documentation tools. For us, the writers, editors, illustrators, and other content creators, we also need to add 508 compliance steps on the “To Do” list, but we need examples and illustrations to SHOW us the steps we need to add.
We can follow a process, test, and even write the Alt Text (text displayed for images and other objects for accessibility purposes) BETTER than most programmers…who generally don’t like to write, anyway.
For the nontechies, the content creators on the 508 compliance team, we need a Step By Step Guide to Section 508 Compliant PDFs. We need a documented process that can be duplicated and produce positive, passing results
We don’t need to know the legal details.
We don’t need to know HOW the code or software works.
We DO need to know the basic expectations, terminology, and steps required.
This is why theStep By Step Guide to Section 508 Compliant PDFs: Illustrated Processes, Steps, and Examples of Section 508 Compliance from Word Documents to PDFs exists.
Included Topics (as taken from the Table of Contents):
What is Section 508 Compliance?
Section 508 Compliance in Plain English
Section 508 Legislation
Section 508 Compliance Resources
Why Just PDFs?
Why Step-By-Step?
Section 508 Compliance Team
Prepare the Word Document
Proper Use of Headings and Other Styles in Word
Table of Contents
Images
Tagging Images in Word
Tagging Floating Images in Word
Animations
Tables
Merged Cells
Images in Tables
Text Boxes
Alt Text
Reading Order
Create the PDF
Primary Method
Opening the PDF in Adobe Acrobat and Initial Configuration
How to Run a Compliance Test in Adobe Acrobat
Full Check
Error on Full Check
Accessibility Report
Inaccessible Page Content Error
Order Panel and Reading Order
Additional Troubleshooting and Configuration Procedures
Inserting a Blank Page
Inserting a Legend, Copyright, or Other Multiuse Element
Inserting a Chapter
Troubleshooting Sidebars
Troubleshooting Bullets
PowerPoint Slides and Bordered Images
Additional 508 Compliance Resources
Contacting the Author
Additional Online Resources
Other Section 508 Books and Publications
A PDF edition of the Step By Step Guide to Section 508 Compliant PDFs is also available for purchase at www.Section508CompliantPDFs.com.
