Graphic Design

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Accessible PDFs

Since 2020, I have been supporting my clients with PDF accessibility. Implementation is carried out according to the latest PDF/UA standard and on the basis of PAC 2026. To prepare accessible documents, I primarily work with InDesign, though Word templates or previously exported PDFs are also possible. I am happy to advise on the design-related optimisation of your files; this includes, among other things, ensuring sufficient colour contrast for fonts, the use of tables versus plain text, and the distinction between relevant imagery and purely decorative elements.

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Testing

How can I tell if my document is accessible?

Visually, an accessible PDF cannot be distinguished from a regular PDF. However, there are tools available such as the free PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC). This can be used to test whether WCAG standards have been met.

A passed PAC report is not a 100% guarantee; ultimately, the check should be carried out by someone with specialist expertise. The current version, PAC 2026, already covers many minimum standards, but there are still significant differences between best practice and simply satisfying the report.

Link to the testing tool – PAC 2026

Accessibility Checklist for PDFs

What can be considered during the design stage?

1. Colour selection

Use colours with sufficient contrast. Check colour values for fonts using the CCA (Colour Contrast Analyser).

2. Font selection

Sans-serif fonts are generally easier for the eye to process. A clear typeface should be chosen, especially for body text. The use of ligatures should be avoided.

3. Imagery

Content-relevant imagery is provided with alternative text. This also applies to graphics. I am happy to discuss with you how descriptions should be written and which elements in your PDF this applies to.

4. Hyperlinks

Email addresses and URL links should be embedded as active links and provided with a description of where the link leads.

5. Tables

To avoid time-consuming post-processing in Acrobat later on, tables should be created as genuine tables with header rows and a table body from the outset

6. Character and paragraph styles

The implementation of an accessible PDF can be carried out significantly faster if the content is already structured using styles. The assignment of body text, headings, etc., can be built directly upon this structure.

Excerpt from References

Examples of accessible PDFs

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