PDF Document and Accessibility Best Practices

Environment

Document creation tools like Google Suite and Microsoft Office.

Issue

Should I convert PDFs into other document formats or should I avoid PDFs altogether for accessibility?

Resolution

If you can convert a document from PDF to another format, we strongly recommend that approach. PDFs are notoriously difficult to make accessible, so if you can provide another format (such as a Google Doc, Word Doc, slide deck, etc.), that would be much easier to make accessible. If there are users who need PDF for other access reasons, you can provide the PDF alongside an accessible version. But an accessible version does need to be available for all users.

Additional Information

• Accessible Documents Best Practices
• PDF Decision Tree

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.