Accessible Documents Training

Learn all about creating accessible documents with our two training courses.

Accessible Documents Training Sessions. PDF and Word

Upcoming course dates

  • Fundamentals: starting 2 April
  • Advanced: starting 30 April

Discount Packages

We are offering a package deal (with a 20% discount) for those wishing to enroll in both the Fundamental and Advanced course. You can take advantage of this package deal by going to our course booking page.

Accessible Documents Fundamentals

This practical and hands on training will provide you with the knowledge to create accessible Word documents and convert them to PDF. The course will leave you with the knowledge of what makes an accessible document as well as the confidence to create an accessible Word document and the fundamentals of PDF accessibility.

Book your spot in accessible documents fundamentals.

Topics Covered

  1. Overview of Digital Accessibility and disability
  2. Accessibility standards
  3. Document accessibility principles and guidelines
    1. Optimising your file
    2. Text styling
    3. Design and layout considerations
    4. Images, charts, smart art and other non-text content
    5. Use of colour
    6. Tables
    7. Links
    8. Using in-app checkers
  4. Accessibility in Microsoft Word
  5. Export to tagged PDF
  6. Basic accessibility in Acrobat Pro
  7. Using the Acrobat Pro Accessibility Checker

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

  • Understand document accessibility principles and how they are applied to different elements used within a document
  • Use Microsoft Word to create an accessible Word document
  • Export a Word document to PDF using the correct method
  • Understand the basics of PDF accessibility
  • How to use the inbuilt Accessibility Checker in Acrobat Pro

Assumed Knowledge

No prior knowledge of accessibility is required—just a basic understanding of Microsoft Word!

Software Required

  • Access to Microsoft Word on PC or Mac
  • Access to Acrobat Pro on PC or Mac (this is the paid version of Acrobat If you do not have access to the paid version, you will still be able to follow along. Consider if a free trial may be available for the software you can utilise.)

(Note: Training materials are based on PC; Mac users may experience slight differences.)

Accessible Documents Advanced

Already across the fundamentals of document accessibility? This advanced course builds on your existing knowledge, focusing on the complexities of PDF accessibility and interactive forms. You’ll learn how to create, test, and remediate accessible documents using Adobe Acrobat.

Through practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises, you’ll gain expertise in working with PDF documents using Adobe and how to remediate common PDF accessibility issues. The course also covers advanced testing methods, including assistive technologies, to help you confidently assess and improve document accessibility.

Topics Covered

  1. Document accessibility principles recap
  2. PDF Accessibility 
    1. Understanding the anatomy of an accessible PDF
    2. Tags and the tag tree
    3. Checking document elements such as hyperlinks, images and tables
    4. Common issues in tagged PDFs and how to resolve them
    5. Basic remediation techniques 
    6. Tagging untagged documents
  3. Forms
    1. Creating your source file
    2. Adding accessibility features using Acrobat
  4. Testing and Reviewing Documents
    1. Testing with in-built checkers
    2. Testing with assistive technologies

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the session, participants will:

  • Apply accessibility principles across PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Structure slides, spreadsheets, and emails to meet accessibility best practice
  • Understand the principles of an accessible PDF 
  • Use advanced techniques to review the accessibility of a PDF and make changes required within Acrobat Pro
  • Know the fundamentals of PDF tagging and how to tag a basic untagged PDF
  • Use a range of technologies and checkers to test and review accessibility

Assumed Knowledge

Completion of Accessible Documents Fundamentals run by TTC or a working understanding of document accessibility principles demonstrated through the creation of accessible Word documents and export to PDF.

Software Required

  • Familiarity with basic document accessibility principles 
  • Access to Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook (PC or Mac)
  • Access to Acrobat Pro (PC or Mac)
  • Access to NVDA or JAWS is recommended but not required

Book your spot in accessible documents advanced.