PDF Accessibility Resources
All PDFs published on UAMS websites must fully conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA / PDF/UA standards by April 26, 2027 (U.S. Department of Justice Title II ADA final rule for public entities). Blackboard Ally for Websites automatically flags inaccessible PDFs — fix all issues proactively.
Best Practice: Convert content to native UAMS CMS pages whenever possible (better mobile experience, easier updates, inherently accessible).
Challenges in Today’s Web Environment
The PDF user experience is usually terrible on smartphones (average screen size ~6 inches). PDFs are often used to replace regular web content, making information completely inaccessible to some users (e.g., screen-reader users, low-bandwidth connections).
Publishing Electronic Documents
Documents present several challenges for users. The decision to publish them on the web should be considered carefully — and only when native web content is not feasible.
Questions to Consider…
Why am I sharing this information?
All web content is created for a specific purpose. If it’s printable (e.g., official form), a PDF may be appropriate. If it’s informational (e.g., event details), use a UAMS CMS page instead.
Is the information current?
Remove outdated documents entirely. Archival PDFs still require full accessibility.
Is the information shared in a webpage format?
Provide content in web format first. If offering a PDF for download:
- Ensure it is fully accessible
- Use descriptive link text (e.g., “2025 Benefits Guide (Accessible PDF)”)
Resources for Creating Accessible PDFs
Accessible PDFs must be scannable, searchable, legible, readable, and correctly tagged.
Primary Tool: Adobe Acrobat Pro
Contact the Help Desk (501-686-8555) to purchase a license. Full guide: Create and verify PDF accessibility – Adobe Acrobat
Free/Limited Options
- Microsoft Word → Save as PDF with “Document structure tags for accessibility” enabled
- Google Docs → Export as PDF (limited tagging)
After creation/upload: Blackboard Ally for Websites will score the PDF and provide fix guidance.
Converting PDF Content to Web Content (Recommended)
Remove inaccessible PDFs by converting to UAMS CMS pages.
What Types of Documents Work Best?
Text-heavy documents convert cleanly. For images/graphics: Add them separately to the page after pasting text.
What You’ll Need
- Google Drive, Adobe Acrobat Reader, or Acrobat Pro
- Your PDF(s)
- Access to your UAMS CMS site
Converting with Google Drive
- Upload PDF → Open with → Google Docs
- File → Download → Plain Text (.txt)
- Copy plain text → paste into a new UAMS CMS page → style with blocks
Converting with Adobe Acrobat Reader/Pro
- Open PDF → File → Save As Other/Export To → Text
- Copy plain text → paste into UAMS CMS page