How to Make PDFs Accessible | Episode 15: Bakersfield College

Welcome to Episode 15 of our College PDF Accessibility series. Today, we focus on Bakersfield College’s Fall 2020 Enrollment Survey Report.

Video Guide

If you’re interested in the real-life practice and nuances of document remediation, here are Episode 1, Episode 2,  Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10, Episode 12, Episode 13, Episode 14, Episode 16, and Episode 17 in our PDF Accessibility Community College Series.

Following an in-depth search of the Bakersfield College website, we finally uncovered a PDF document—an enrollment survey. Notably, the website predominantly presents its content in HTML format, reflecting the institution’s strategic emphasis on web-based formats over traditional PDFs, aligning with broader trends in digital communication.

Upon examining the enrollment survey, we identified several errors that hindered its accessibility:

Lack of Tagging and Structure for PDF Accessibility

Firstly, our analysis revealed a notable absence of proper tagging and structural hierarchy within the PDF. This deficiency poses challenges for individuals utilizing screen readers, impeding their ability to interpret and navigate the content effectively. To address this issue, we meticulously tagged each element of the document, ensuring a coherent and logical structure. Headings, paragraphs, and other content were appropriately labeled to facilitate seamless navigation for users relying on assistive technologies.

Unembedded Fonts and Unresolved Text Objects

Furthermore, we observed the presence of unembedded fonts and unresolved text objects within the PDF, compromising the visual integrity and readability of the document. To rectify this concern, we initiated font embedding processes to ensure consistent display across diverse platforms and devices. Additionally, unresolved text objects were identified and rectified to enhance the document’s visual clarity and accessibility.

Untagged Footer Content and Unassociated Table Headers

Additionally, we identified untagged footer content and unassociated table headers, which rendered these elements inaccessible to individuals utilizing screen readers and keyboard navigation. To mitigate these accessibility barriers, we manually tagged the footer content, ensuring its integration within the document’s structural hierarchy. Moreover, table headers were associated with their respective cells, facilitating accurate interpretation by screen readers.

Inadequate Document Properties and Missing Accessibility Features

An additional oversight was the absence of comprehensive document properties and essential accessibility features, such as alternative text for images and proper title display. To enhance document properties, we supplemented metadata, including titles and authors, to ensure accurate representation and indexing. Additionally, essential accessibility features, such as alternative text for images, were incorporated to provide context and comprehension for individuals with visual impairments.

In conclusion, The Accessibility Guy awards Bakersfield College’s PDF document a score of six out of ten. Bonus points recognize the abundance of HTML content on the website, reflecting commendable efforts towards accessibility. Well done, Bakersfield College!

Download the Free Section 508 Checklist for PDF Accessibility:

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) 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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