This post aims to explore how Canva PDFs are not accessible to people with disabilities. It seems like such a basic need at this point for any modern website to allow for exporting with a structure in place. This simply is not the case for Canva PDFs.
Would you rather just have me make your Canva doc exports accessible for you?
Video Guide
The basic premise is that PDFs that are exported from Canva do NOT retain much of the style that is applied on the back end. The good news is that it seems with each passing month, the quality is getting better. As of now, there are multiple steps required to get the PDF ready before it can be made accessible.
The Errors / Problems with Exporting Canva PDFs
- The PDFs come through with No tags in many situations.
- The reading order tool can cause issues.
- There is extra content that comes through that can be difficult to tag.
Readying Canva PDFs for Remediation
This video will show how to get the PDF remediation ready. The secret tip is to use the Print to PDF functionality within Adobe Acrobat. Check it out:
This video guides how to get a tag structure into the document, how to move tags, how to artifact content, use the reading order tool, and adding a link.
The Importance of PDF Accessibility
When a PDF is not accessible, it creates a variety of problems and barriers, particularly for individuals with disabilities. Here’s an overview of what happens and why it’s a concern:
Screen Reader Incompatibility:
Visually impaired Individuals often rely on screen readers to interpret the text within documents. If a PDF is not tagged correctly or lacks the proper structure, screen readers may be unable to read the content, or they may read it in the wrong order, rendering the information unintelligible.
Navigation Challenges:
An inaccessible PDF might not support easy navigation, making it difficult for people to jump to specific sections, headings, or links within the document. This can be particularly problematic for individuals using assistive technologies.
Lack of Alternative Text for Images:
If images within the PDF don’t have alternative text descriptions, individuals who are blind or visually impaired won’t have access to the information conveyed through those images.
Incompatibility with Assistive Technologies:
Individuals with motor disabilities may use various assistive technologies to interact with digital content. An inaccessible PDF might not be compatible with these tools, making it difficult or impossible for these individuals to access the content.
Legal Compliance Issues:
Many jurisdictions have legal requirements related to accessibility (such as the Americans with Disabilities Act in the U.S.) Failing to make content accessible can lead to legal consequences.
Loss of Audience:
By not making PDFs accessible, content creators risk alienating a significant portion of their audience. This can lead to reduced readership, customer dissatisfaction, and potential harm to an organization’s reputation.
Educational Barriers:
In educational settings, inaccessible PDFs can create barriers to learning for students with disabilities. This hinders their academic progress and creates an unequal learning environment.
Workplace Inequity:
In the workplace, inaccessible documents can prevent employees with disabilities from performing their tasks efficiently. Inequality and discrimination is the result.
Difficulty in Editing and Repurposing Content:
Inaccessible PDFs can also be more challenging to edit and repurpose. The lack of structure and tagging often complicates the process of extracting and reusing content.
Negative SEO Impact:
Search engines may have difficulty indexing the content within an inaccessible PDF, which can lead to lower search rankings and reduced visibility online.
In summary, an inaccessible PDF not only presents challenges for individuals with disabilities but also leads to wider legal, social, and financial consequences. Furthermore, making Canva PDFs accessible goes beyond mere compliance or technical accuracy; it encompasses inclusivity, equality, and guarantees that all individuals, irrespective of their abilities, have access to the necessary information.
I can be your accessibility expert. I offer tailored solutions to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!
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