How to Format PDF
It is a given fact that all PDF users interact with PDFs differently. In some cases, end-users viewing your PDF may have visual impairments or problems with hand joints and because of such ailments, interacting with computer hardware and software applications can be difficult. This is especially true when navigating long and complex PDF files.
Fortunately, in Section 508 of The U.S Rehabilitation Act, it is stated that all federal agencies must ensure that all digital content is accessible to people with disabilities. In compliance with this regulation, Adobe has offered a way for assistive devices to access PDF file content and interpret it for users. To do this, format your PDF with accessibility preferences.
To ensure your content will be accessible in PDF format before converting, in Word 2007 do the following:
Open your Word file. Choose Save As from the Office Button menu and choose PDF.
Select Options from the dialogue box.
Check the box beside Document Structure Tags for Accessibility. Click on OK.
To set accessibility preferences and checks for PDFs in Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro:
- Choose Accessibility from the Advanced menu. Choose Setup Assistant.
- In the new dialogue box, choose the accessibility options you need.
- The consecutive Accessibility Set Up screens will walk you through different accessibility options. The second screen, for example, allows you to choose settings that will cater to those with visible disabilities.
The third screen will help set up the content’s reading order.
In the fourth screen, you can choose settings for Read Out Loud functions, the Page Layout view, and the Document Zoom defaults. Once you set these, click on Next.
Set options for auto-saving and initial viewing.
When all is set, click on Done.
