Creating PDFs
PDF accessibility issues
PDFs must be accessible to all groups within the community.
The Queensland Government's products and services, including those available on the web, must be accessible to people with physical disabilities and/or people whose access is restricted for technical reasons (e.g. low-bandwidth, dial-up access).
What makes a PDF inaccessible?
- Large file size
- Security settings
- Non-text content (images and other media)
- Alternative browsers
- Further references (standards and legislation)
Large file size
Large files of any type are considered inaccessible, especially to people accessing web pages via a modem or low-bandwidth connection - as is often the case with rural users.
For more information on optimising PDF files, see:
Security settings
Setting the 'Do Not Allow Selecting Text and Graphics' security option will prevent many users from accessing the content of your PDF. For example, if this option is set, screen readers and Braille devices cannot convert the text into an accessible format for sight-impaired users.
Do not use this security setting unless there is a valid reason (e.g. the content of the PDF is restricted).
For more information on PDF security, see document security.
Non-text content-images and other media
Anyone using a text-only browser, low-bandwidth device, braille device, screen reader or similar device will not have access to images, video clips, animations, or other media that are embedded in your PDF (i.e. all non-text content). Similarly, as deaf or hearing-impaired users will not be able to access sounds or video soundtracks, you should not use video, audio or animation.
For important content, including links and navigation, use text whenever possible, and always caption all images in your document to provide text alternatives.
Alternative browsers
Users accessing the web using alternative methods such as hand-held devices will have limited access to PDF files; although, as hand-held devices become more powerful, accessibility is improved.
Further references
Under the federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 [HREOC] it is unlawful to discriminate unreasonably against people with a disability.
Information Standard 26: Internet [IS26] requires all Queensland Government web site content to:
- be compliant with the W3C's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0 [W3C-WCAG]
- recognise the needs of clients with low-bandwidth, dial-up internet connections.
- [HREOC]
- Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission 2001, World Wide Web Access: Disability Discrimination Act Advisory Notes (Version 3.1 May 1999), Australian Human Rights and Equal
Opportunity Commission, last viewed 1 March 2002, http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/
standards/www_3/www_3.html. - [IS26]
- Department of Public Works, Queensland Government Chief Information Office 2001, Information Standard 26: Internet, Queensland Government Chief Information Office, last revised 7 April 2007, http://www.qgcio.qld.gov.au/02_infostand/standards/is26.htm.
- [W3C-WCAG]
- World Wide Web Consortium 1999, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0, World Wide Web Consortium, last viewed 1 March 2002, http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT/ .