Accompany PDFs with documents that are formatted for universal accessibility, like HTML, to ensure that class materials are accessible to all of your students.

  • HTML can be read without problem by screen readers, so it’s a great format to provide students with in addition to PDF documents.
  • Some screen readers do not support PDFs, so students using these assistive technologies may not be able to access class materials if they are only available as PDFs.
    • Additionally, some PDF documents are encrypted for security purposes in a way that locks out users’ assistive technologies.
  • Although PDF documents can be made more accessible, the process can be a hassle and cannot provide the same level of accessibility that an HTML file can.

More about this tip

External Source

"Is PDF accessible?" by AccessComputing.