How to Ensure Your PDFs are ADA Compliant

PDFs are the most commonly used format for sharing electronic documents on the Internet. No matter whether you view them on your desktop computer, mobile phone, or tablet, you can get the information you need in a snap.

However, many businesses add PDFs to their websites by simply scanning their paper documents and uploading them without ensuring they are ADA compliant. It’s an easy mistake to make – fortunately, it’s just as easy to correct to ensure you adhere to the law and protect your business.

What is ADA Compliance?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H.W. Bush. The ADA provided people with disabilities equal opportunity under the law and prohibited any form of discrimination against them.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) created the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design in September 2010. These standards refer to any electronic or information technology and require that they be accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Why Should I Make My PDFs ADA Compliant?

The first and most obvious reason why your PDFs must be ADA compliant is that it’s the law. Plus, it’s the right thing to do for both your customers’ sakes and for the success of your business.

Because websites are deemed “places of public accommodation,” any PDFs you feature on your business website must adhere to ADA compliance guidelines. If you post PDFs to your website’s resource pages that are not ADA compliant, your business could be considered discriminatory.

In other words, it’s crucial for your long-term success to make sure all your PDF files are easy to navigate for anybody, no matter what.

In order for your PDFs to be truly ADA compliant, they must include:

· Left-to-right reading order ( for text and tables)

· Bookmarks for any document longer than 9 pages

· Zero background images or watermarks

· Images with alt text

· Searchable text

· Add tags

If you have questions about making your website and PDFs ADA compliant, contact the web design experts at GroupM7 today.