Checklist
Font & Formatting
- Text is at least 12pt and simple, familiar font types are used.
- Italics, all caps, and non-link underlining are used sparingly.
- Text is not fully justified.
Hyperlinks
- Link text is specific and makes sense out of context.
- Links are underlined and are a different color than other text.
Styles
- Each text element has a paragraph style applied.
- Each paragraph style has an appropriate PDF tag identified in export tagging.
- Character styles are used for any formatting differences within a paragraph (such as differently colored text).
Color
- Color contrast of text has been tested and passes WCAG AA standards.
- Color contrast of meaningful graphics (e.g., bars in charts) has also been tested and passes WCAG AA standards.
- Color alone is not used to communicate information.
Images
- Meaningful images have alt text added in Object Export Options > Tagged PDF.
- Non-meaningful images are marked as artifacts in Object Export Options > Tagged PDF.
- Images are anchored close to the text that pertains to them.
Reading Order
- In the layers panel, text and images are in the correct order (bottom-to-top).
- In the articles panel, text and images are in the correct order (top-to-bottom).
- In the articles panel menu, “Use for Tagging Order in Tagged PDF” is checked.
Final Checks
- Document info (such as title and author) added to File > File Info.
- File exported as “Adobe PDF (Interactive)" with these options checked:
- General: “Create Tagged PDF” and “Use Structure for Tab Order”
- Advanced: Display “Document Title” and language “English”
Additional resources
- Creating accessible PDFs from InDesign Learn from Adobe about the required steps in InDesign and Acrobat.
- Contrast checker Test your color combinations with this free tool from WebAIM (Web Accessibility in Mind).
- How-to video about the articles panel Watch this video from CreativePro about setting the reading order.
- How-to video about assigning export tags Review this CreativePro video to learn how to assign export tags to paragraph styles.
Disclaimer
The information provided by Marin County’s Digital Accessibility Team is intended to increase people’s awareness of digital accessibility. Links are provided because they have information that may be useful. The County of Marin does not warrant the accuracy of any information contained in the links and neither endorses nor intends to promote the advertising of the resources listed herein. The County of Marin is not responsible for any kind of loss or damage arising from your use of the links or information provided herein.