Creating accessible documents

American Heart Association Document Policy

  • Print only documents will not be subjected to color contrast success criteria if that is to be its only use.
  • If a print document is to be delivered for use as a digital asset, then it must be converted to an accessible, Portable Document Format (PDF).
  • If the print document cannot be made accessible (artwork, complex infographic) then it must be available in a text-only format.
  • That text-only format must be accessible (title, headers, image replacement/alternate text, lists, tables, links, etc.). That document may be a native PDF or Word document, saved as a PDF in locked format (unable for the viewer/user to modify).
  • Alternatively, that print document may be converted for web-based (HTML, CSS, GRAPHIC, JAVASCRIPT) consumption.
  • GOLDEN RULE: any content available in digital format (HTML, DVD, audio/video, PDF, etc.) for a sighted, non-disabled user MUST have equivalent content available for a disabled user (visually impaired, hearing impaired, mobility impaired, cognitive impaired).

Document Creation

When creating content, there are a few basic steps that should be followed in order to assure your content is accessible. The core steps needed for accessibility are the same regardless of whether your document is in HTML, Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, or another document format:

  • Use headings
  • Use lists
  • Add alternate text to images
  • Identify document language
  • Use tables wisely
  • Understand how to export from one format to another

Resources

To gain a better understanding of these core issues, see our Overview of accessible documents.

To apply each of these concepts to a particular document format or authoring workflow, select one of the following topics:

Creating High Quality Scanned Documents

Sometimes it is necessary to scan a document for an instructional need. When documents are in electronic form, they are easier to distribute and can be more accessible than print documents for students with disabilities. However, in order to be fully accessible, certain steps must be followed to be sure the scanned document is of high quality. Even if a document is not needed for a person with disability, a poor scan often negatively impacts the end user’s experience. For details, see Creating High Quality Scans.