Accessible Outputs: PDF (CommonLook Edu)

Accessible PDF Output in CommonLook Edu

Using CommonLook Edu, organizations can remediate source PDFs and export them as accessible PDFs that preserve layout, structure, and navigability while supporting compliance with accessibility standards.

What and Why? Understanding Accessible PDF

An accessible PDF is a PDF document that has been properly tagged and structured so it can be read and navigated by assistive technologies such as screen readers, refreshable Braille displays, and keyboard-only navigation tools.

PDF remains one of the most widely used electronic document formats for education, government, and enterprise distribution. It is popular due to its "fixed-layout" reliability to look the same across many devices and be accessed universally, meaning without a specific reading software requirement. 

Accessible PDF is often preferred when documents must be shared, archived, printed, or distributed exactly as authored.

Input File Types for Accessible PDF Output

To create an Accessible PDF using CommonLook Edu, the input file must be a PDF. Other file types must first be converted to PDF before being processed if the intended output is an accessible PDF.

Steps to Create an Accessible PDF

While specific workflows may vary depending on document complexity, the general process for creating an accessible PDF in CommonLook Edu includes:

1. Upload the PDF
   • Upload the source PDF file into CommonLook Edu.
2. Provide Additional Details
   • For documents containing math, ensure the toggle is active.
3. Choose Accessible Format
   • Select "Accessible PDF (.pdf)."
4. Choose Remediation Path
   • Simplified Editor: A streamlined, AI-assisted workflow that allows a remediator to verify or adjust page elements and reading order. If you want CommonLook to automatically generate math or chemistry descriptions, this is your only option. File size is limited to 200mb or 150 pages. This is the recommended pathway for newer remediators. 
   • Advanced Editor: A robust and self-guided remediation tool, granting complete control over tag creation and manipulation. Math and chemistry descriptions are not generated automatically, but can still be adjusted or created by the remediator. This powerful tool is a recommended pathway for experienced remediators looking for complete compliance. 
5. Validate and Export
   1. Confirm that required accessibility issues have been resolved.
   2. Export the final Accessible PDF.

Math and Chemistry Content in Accessible PDF Output

Math

When uploading a PDF in CommonLook Edu, you will be prompted to toggle an option indicating that your file contains math content. If math is detected in the document, it will automatically be placed into an "Equation" container, either independently or within another container, where necessary. Once created, the Equation container will be given an "Equation description," which will be used as Alternate text for the Equation tag. Users can edit these descriptions as they see fit. 

For more detailed information on working with math equations in CommonLook Edu, please explore our Knowledge Base article titled "Working with Math Equations (CL Edu)."

Chemistry

If chemistry is present in an uploaded PDF, descriptions of formulas and equations will be automatically generated only after the container is created by the user and labeled accurately.

For more information on working with chemistry content in CommonLook Edu, please explore our Knowledge Base article titled "Working with Chemistry (CL Edu)."