InclusiveDocs is a platform that focuses on changing the digital content landscape and making it accessible to everyone, with a particular focus on people with disabilities. It was founded in Canada in 2007 by a group of tech enthusiasts ready to change the world and has been operating for over 15 years.

The team of experts at InclusiveDocs uses advanced technologies such as AI to extract content from complex files that are difficult for screen readers to decode. Their tireless efforts and dedication have made it possible to ensure that everyone, regardless of their ability, can access and enjoy digital content.

Read on, as we’ll show you how to use InclusiveDocs, its features, and every mode this platform offers.

While many accessibility platforms offer to test your document and to show where you can enhance your document manually, InclusiveDocs offers complete remediation using AI and other sophisticated methods. Besides the guide for InclusiveDocs, we’ll show you how to upload your document and use the bookshelf, the enhancement tool, and other platform components.

Steps for Using InclusiveDocs

1. The first step for using InclusiveDocs, just like every other platform, is signing up by filling out the form with the standard personal information.
   Signing in starts with visiting InclusiveDoc’s website and clicking Sign in.

   

   InclusiveDoc’s website

2. Clicking sign-in will take you to the Login page, where you can access InclusiveDocs. It gives you the standard options for login with your email and password. There is also an option in case you forget your password so you can reset it and an option to ask a question if there’s an issue.

You can Log in on the page of InclusiveDocs very quickly by entering your personal information like email and password.

1. After the user logs in, it will take them to the branded app, with a main menu on the left side. The user can choose from publishers, and a credits icon that notifies the user how much money they have for upload.

InclusiveDocs has a branded app site with many options.

The titles exist so users can group their issues and different publications inside. InclusiveDocs has this feature so that users can choose within the titles straightforwardly and quickly.

InclusiveDocs has a unique title menu where users can preview titles in which different issues and other publications exist.

The details screen is from where the users can go to the bookshelf.

One of the settings here is the details screen. The starting point will take the user to the bookshelf by simply pressing the button Go to Bookshelf.

How to Navigate through InclusiveDocs’ Bookshelf

The next platform component is the Bookshelf, where the publisher can see their titles and all issues inside the tags. The access to each setting is simple, and the user can navigate through it quickly.

The bookshelf has a sophisticated and robust design so users can see their titles and issues. Every publisher has an “about publisher” description and social media networks so users can share it. The menu is on the left side, previewing the recent issues. There is also a button, “titles,” on which you can see your latest titles in your branded app.

Under the latest issues, there is also a language option, date, and issue description. On each of the latest issues, there is a preview of a few pages on the issue so the user doesn’t have to open it, or they can list only a few pages. Last but not least, the title screen also includes a return button, allowing users to navigate back to the title screen.

The bookshelf is feature-rich and intuitive, with clearly labeled buttons that cater to the needs of different clients.

InclusiveDocs offers a robust and sophisticated approach that highlights and provides the correct information so every client can be educated and easily navigate the platform.

Issue’s Screen Features and Navigation

We previously discussed the bookshelf feature, which allows users to access various issues. We will explore the issues screen in more detail to better understand its functionality.

InclusiveDocs has an issue screen where users can display a comprehensive list of all the issues associated with the client's title. This allows easy navigation and management of any client issues in a title.

When users click the "issues" button, they will be taken to a screen displaying all the available issues. This screen is divided into two parts. The right side displays the issues themselves, with each issue shown with a preview (including a thumbnail), publication date, and a button for managing the issue (which we'll discuss later) in a selected title.

Meanwhile, the left side contains the main menu, which includes options for browsing through different titles, accessing issues, and adjusting general settings. This menu is the same as the one found on the details screen.

How to Add a New Issue

If users want to add a new issue, they can simply click the '+' sign and upload it under the corresponding title.

Unlike other accessibility tools, the issues screen allows users to add a new issue to the title.

Users can add new issues on the issues screen, which sets this accessibility tool apart from others by offering additional customization and flexibility. To add a new issue, users can choose the "Select file" option on the right side of the menu. Additionally, users can utilize the "Auto Linking Tool" to add links to their PDFs, a customizable option that can be turned on or off based on user preferences.

This tool helps escape manual linking during document remediation. Additional features are showcased on the right menu. The last feature on this screen is the manage button, which users can use to select and choose an issue.

Managing Issues

You can easily manage issues on InclusiveDocs and replace them by uploading a PDF.

When the user clicks on "Manage," they are taken to a screen where they can customize different features for the issue. Let's explore the accessible options:

• Users can check where the issue was published (web, mobile, etc);

• Users can view and read the issue;

• Users can replace the issue with a PDF;

• Users can reoptimize the downloaded issue by selecting the buttons below "go to the legacy portal.”

• Users can also find all the information related to the issue, including its publication date, upload date, and description.

In addition to these features, a button will take you to the Enhancement tools. We will discuss that further in this blog post.

Enhancement Tools for Improved Accessibility

Enhancement tools include features that improve document accessibility and enrich PDFs, such as adding links, embedding videos, and custom HTML or GIFs.

InclusiveDocs' main feature for providing accessibility is the Enhancement tool, which enriches the PDF with links, gifs, videos, and custom HTML.

Besides the settings on the right side, you’ll find a preview from the PDF on the screen's left side.

Regular Mode or Screen Reader Mode?

When the user clicks on the "view issue" option, a convenient and user-friendly popup window for reader accessibility appears. This window ensures that all users, regardless of their physical abilities, can easily access the content. If the issue is accessible, the user can view it in regular or screen reader mode from within the accessibility popup. This feature enhances the overall user experience by providing all users with a safer and more inclusive environment.

One of the features of the InclusiveDocs platform is the option for users to choose between regular mode and screen reader mode when viewing an issue.

Regular Mode Screen

The regular screen mode or the classic view is intended for an enhanced reading experience where the user can read the PDF, go to a specific page, and return to the very beginning or to the page where they stopped reading. There are also some additional settings like crop, search, and access directly in the title where the user can find the issues, download a PDF, print a PDF, and the ability to see the PDF in full-screen mode.

InclusiveDocs Regular Mode has many options that are a perfect fit for digital content remediation for accessible education, healthcare, governmental institutions, digital publishers, and many other industries.

The Classic View enables users to view digital documents in their original format, with added accessibility tools and enhanced functionality. It features various controls, such as bottom thumbnail navigation and zoom, that can be used across multiple platforms.

The last step for the user is clicking the motion button to take them to the reflow mode.

Reflow Mode

InclusiveDocs has a reflow screen with different settings, which are great for learning disabilities such as dyslexia, other visual impairments, and colorblindness.

The reflow mode screen is a fantastic feature of the reader that is particularly helpful for individuals with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, then for visual impairments, and color blindness. This feature allows users to easily adjust various settings such as padding, text style, background color, font, line height, and letter case. The button also incorporates text-to-speech technology and allows pages to be turned with the arrow button.

Screen Reader Mode

The screen reader mode is the most essential feature for accessibility, and InclusiveDocs successfully incorporated this mode into the platform.

From reflow mode, the user can switch to screen reader mode. This mode utilizes cutting-edge technology, including AI and text-to-speech, to ensure a more effective remediation experience. In addition to the option of downloading and printing PDFs, this mode provides a read-out-loud feature for articles. Moreover, users can navigate through the reader using the tab key, an intuitive and easy method for disabled individuals.

Conclusion

For over 15 years, InclusiveDocs has been committed to bridging accessibility gaps across various industries and clients. Our platform serves digital publishers, accessibility users, educational institutions, government agencies, and other public entities.

Our mission is to continually improve our platform, with a focus on user experience and accessibility, so that everyone can easily access and use our tools. At InclusiveDocs, we are dedicated to giving a voice to all users and helping them find the perfect solution for their document accessibility needs.

Using InclusiveDocs may seem like a long and complicated process. However, we hope this guide has provided detailed answers to any questions you may have had.

Did this guide help you navigate the platform with ease? Is there anything that you feel needs to be covered? We appreciate you taking the time to read this guide and look forward to discussing further accessibility topics in the future.

WCAG Compatibility Throughout the Years

Speaking about having equal rights and opportunities for everyone involves being inclusive on the internet, which takes a large portion of our lives. Making your web accessible means offering everyone equal access, which is crucial in this fast-paced world.

According to a recent study, almost 96.3% of home pages had detected WCAG 2 failures! In 2022 the situation improved, lowering the failure score to 96.8%. The study mentioned only 1.5% during the last four years, decreasing from 97.8%. The percentage comes from a WCAG failure, but the automatic testing cannot detect all possible losses.

This chart depicts the WCAG failure of home pages:

Why Accessible Design Matters

Whether you want to show your brand or raise your marketing from your content, the essential thing to do is make your web accessible to everyone. It becomes even more critical for people with disabilities, as your web is the only way the user can interact with your brand, and it is the only way for them to get an impression. Thus, the user experience has to be smooth for everyone who uses it.

We spoke about this in one of our previous blog posts, where you can discover that around 1.3 billion people or 16% of the global population – have some kind of disability.

Suppose developers, content creators, and marketers don’t design according to WCAG regulations. In that case, they exclude a large section of our society and restrict them from accessing critical information about the content they are trying to reach.

When designing your website or app, prioritizing inclusive design is crucial to ensure everyone can interact with it in the same way, regardless of their abilities. For a more in-depth look at inclusive design and how to make your web accessible, please check Inclusive Docs.

How to Make Your Design Accessible

Before saying that your web is entirely accessible, please check our guide for tips on becoming an accessibility expert. Another important fact is that making your web and app accessible doesn’t mean that you have to restrain.

Add More Color and Contrast

The first thing that a designer should do and know is to add contrast between the text and the background colors. Applying contrast and color is extremely important for people with visual impairments who can easily consume the information on the page. According to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, the contrast ratio between text and its background should be 4.5 to 1.

Easy Navigation

A website should be designed for easy navigation and seamless user experience. Trello is an excellent example of this. A helpful tip is to view your designs in black and white. This allows you to ensure the information is easy to understand and differentiate. The first navigation step usually starts with adding headings to the navigation bar and the search function. Adding these features will give your web a better user experience and perform better.

Adding Multimedia Elements

Making your content accessible doesn’t mean avoiding videos, images, and GIFs. On the contrary, your web should be able to read these elements and turn them into accessible material for everyone. Everyone knows you can’t boost engagement on your brand only by text.

Use Headings and Space to Better Organize the Content

Adding a heading to your text is a way to make a better flow for the reader, and adding space is used for separating the content and making sure that the text is easier to read and it is easier to understand by the users. Find more information on how to make your content accessible here.

Avoid hover effects

One of the most crucial accessible features when designing a web or app interface is ensuring that all buttons are visually presented on the navigation bar. If you skip this, the screen reader cannot detect it.

Avoid a Minimalistic Approach with Forms

Although minimalism has jumped on the bandwagon lately, avoid this form when designing form fields. You can quickly lose the boundaries with visibility, so make sure each field has a descriptive label next to it and do not use much space.

Use Alt Text for Each Image and Other Non-Text Content

Adding alt text or alternative text to images and elements that don’t have text is crucial because all screen readers read the alt text to the user. So try to give your best, or you can put yourself in the place of the user who will get the context of what’s going on in the picture from what you have described.

Give Instructions and Feedback

When a form is filled out incorrectly, providing the user with clear and informative feedback regarding the error is essential. This is especially helpful for individuals with disabilities, allowing them to react appropriately.

Make Your Web or Mobile App Design Accessible to Everyone

Take into account all people with disabilities. If you follow all WCAG 2 regulations, your web or mobile app design will be accessible for people with disabilities such as dyslexia, visual impairment, autism, lack of hearing, motor disabilities, and so on. Adapting your brand will mean implementing all of the design principles mentioned above.

Helpful Resources for Creating Accessible Interfaces

If this blog post has somehow found sparkle in you and if you want to put focus on accessible design, here are a bunch of courses that can help your journey:

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/introduction-to-ux-and-accessible-design

https://www.interaction-design.org/courses/accessibility-how-to-design-for-all

https://www.coursera.org/learn/accessibility

Thanks for reading! We hope you will grow your skill set and improve your design so it can become accessible to everyone!

Did you know that the first social media was called “Six Degrees,” founded by Andrew Weinreich in May 1996? This network launched the following year, including profiles, friends lists, and school affiliations in one service. However, the internet was not as accessible back then.

Social media has been a popular means of digital connection and information sharing since Facebook’s appearance. It has allowed people to connect easily, but is social media equal for everyone? People with disabilities are diverse, and it is essential to consider how social media can be made more assistive and accessible to them. How can we ensure that disabled individuals have the same access to digital content as everyone else?

Read on so we can guide you through tips on making your social media posts more accessible!

Social Media Guide for Accessibility

Did you know that around 20% of people have a long-term illness, impairment, or disability? Additionally, many others may experience a temporary or situational disability. It’s important to remember that health conditions can affect a person’s ability to comprehend information, whether due to cognitive impairment or difficulty seeing, hearing, or accessing it.

In this blog, we will focus on people with visual impairments and blind, and we’ll be sharing tips on how to make your social media posts accessible to everyone.

You may be wondering why it is essential to be accessible on social media, and we just answered your question in the previous sentence. Some people have specific disability, such as visual impairment and blindness, and cannot access your content. It is wrong not only for disabled people but also for you as a marketer. Your content is not accessible to everyone, and you can miss your target audience and sometimes even get judged and influence badly on society.

What is Social Media Accessibility?

Let’s clarify first what is social media accessibility because many people are not even familiar with its existence and meaning of it. People with disabilities use social media to access digital content in their preferred format: screen readers and assistive technology platforms such as InlusiveDocs. The process of designing and developing social media content and posts that provide a smooth, inclusive experience for everyone, including the person behind the marketing, is called accessibility. Imagine your content in a format everyone can use, regardless of individual abilities. It’s an incredible feeling; thus, you prove that you care for including this marginalized audience in something you created.

How to be Accessible on All Social Media

Let’s delve into the tricks and tips for creating accessible digital content for your audience on social media platforms.

Do not use emojis.

The screen readers decode these in the wrong way. Either get rid of it or use it with an additional explanation. The screen reader will be able to decode it, but after all, the person with visual impairments or who is blind will have difficulties understanding it.

For instance: I ❤️ studying 👩‍🏫! – the screen reader will read it as I, red heart studying, a woman with glasses studying! It doesn’t sound good, does it?

Use closed captions and subtitles for any visual interpretations

Whether it’s about a reel on Instagram or a specific video you want to post on TikTok, these media files need to be assistive, and your only way of doing it is by applying closed captions and subtitles.

Remember to add alt text to your images. 

The alternative or alt text is an image description that says what your image contains, and the screen reader will read to the users so they will get an impression of what is going on in your publishing. Not to mention that for you (the marketer), the search engine will crawl and improve your SEO. So basically, you are killing two birds with one stone.

Guide on Adding Alt Text on Social Media

However, describing images with alt text on different social media platforms is complex and requires different steps. So, here you can find samples for adding alt text on various social media and what exactly it looks like:

Adding alt text to Facebook

• Upload your image to Facebook

• Click ‘edit photo’

• Click ‘alt text’ (if you don’t change the alt text, it will be generated automatically);

• Click ‘Override generated alt text’

• Populate the alt text and click ‘save’.

The steps for adding alt text on Instagram are very similar:

Adding alt text to Instagram

• Upload your image to Instagram

• Apply any filters or edits as required and then click ‘next’

• Click ‘advanced settings’ at the bottom of the screen

• Click ‘Write alt text’

• Populate the alt text and click ‘done’

• Share as normal.

Adding alt text to Twitter

• Click ‘compose tweet.’

• Attach your image (here you will find how to do this for different devices https://help.twitter.com/en/using-twitter/picture-descriptions)

• Click ‘add a description.’

• Populate the alt text and click ‘done’

• Complete your post

• Share as normal

Adding alt text to LinkedIn

As you add an image to a post, tap “Add Description” in the top right of your image.

Unfortunately, LinkedIn made this option available only for the web. Facebook’s Business Suite- Meta is next on the list that limits this feature; thus, this process is considered challenging.

Beautifying Fonts: A Real Nightmare for Screen Readers

Designing your web, app, or whatever digital content you have on it looks fancy and trendy, but have you ever wondered if the screen readers need help to read and decode this? Make sure that your font and hyperlink colors are accessible, and beware of viral trends that are not accessible.

Explaining Acronyms and Abbreviations

Spelling the acronyms and explaining the abbreviations relieve screen readers and people with unfamiliar words and phrases.

Avoid Technical Jargon

Avoiding jargon or any kind of complex technical vocabulary is a rule of thumb in the marketing field. It doesn’t only concerns people with disabilities but everyone. When posting something, always remember that there are non-native readers and people who are beginners in your field of interest. So your digital content should always be accessible with an appropriate reading score so everyone can read and understand it, including people with disabilities.

Mentions in a Text

We usually mention someone in the middle or at the end of a sentence. The most common reason for doing this is giving photo credits or when we want to tag someone. Very few follow the rule that the mention should be at the end of the sentence, which is very helpful for the screen reader.

Strengthen Your Relations on Social Media

Making your posts accessible and inclusive will bring you a broader audience, and you will become sociably responsible by helping people with disabilities to access your digital content.

We hope that this guide will help and give you the right direction for making your content accessible every day.

To fully benefit students with special educational needs and disabilities, making the most of assistive technologies in education is essential. These technologies can enhance these students’ academic performance, behaviour, social skills, and future economic opportunities. Using technology to improve learning is a helpful strategy for many students.

Additionally, those with learning disabilities often achieve better success when using their abilities and working around their disabilities. The use of assistive technology is mainly used for working in a way that will compensate individual’s learning deficits. According to recent studies, assistive technology doesn’t cure or eliminate learning or other disabilities. Still, it can help students learn and reach their full potential by bypassing their learning or other disabilities.

Read the full article so you can find out more information about how assistive technology can help educational publishers and its direct influence on education.

Using InclusiveDocs by Educational Publishers

You are probably wondering how InclusiveDocs will make your educational publications assistive and accessible for everyone. Specifically in online learning, our platform can digitalize your content using the latest AI and NLP technologies. Using text-to-speech technology with the screen reader mode makes educational content accessible. Our tool helps to facilitate decoding, reading fluency, and comprehension. Thus students with disabilities dependent on their parents, siblings, and teachers can get independent reading and better success and approach when studying.

Kids can commonly learn unfamiliar words when being read to them, so our platform instantly plays a crucial role in the educational system. Our platform extends to that level, and with our enhancement tool, there is a possibility to enrich your educational publications, such as PDFs, with GIFs, links, and HTML.

Assistive Technology for Dyslexia

InclusiveDocs doesn’t only mean going digital by helping the visually impaired. Still, our platform also consists of a reflow mode with a specific background, padding, spacing, and typography that makes your content accessible to everyone. Using this feature greatly helps students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

The vector zoom feature allows the users to zoom in up to 30 times the regular zoom parameters, which is crucial for students with visual impairments.

Final Thoughts

By embracing assistive technology and utilizing platforms like InclusiveDocs, educational publishers can contribute to transforming education into a more inclusive and accessible experience for all learners. These advancements empower students with special needs and disabilities to overcome barriers and unlock their full potential academically and beyond.

If you want to broaden your horizons and make your educational publications assistive, do not hesitate to contact us. You can find more information about our software and services on our website, and our team is happy to schedule a demo if needed.

Over one billion people worldwide have disabilities and may need assistive technology to help them function. Unfortunately, only a tiny percentage of them have access to digital publishing. Many of them do not even have access to technology and the internet. We strive to ensure that each person we support is treated as an equal citizen with the same rights and opportunities. This means providing them with reliable access to devices and the internet. Our goal is to reduce digital isolation for the individuals we assist.

If you’re a magazine publisher or need to format your content for educational purposes, InclusiveDocs can assist you. Our software uses the latest AI and NLP technologies and extracts text from unstructured files such as PDFs and EPUBs.

Why Screen Reader Is Essential to Have

Screen readers are pivotal in enabling individuals with visual impairments to access and interact with digital content seamlessly. Our assistive technology has been specifically developed to provide auditory or tactile feedback, allowing people who are blind or have limited vision to navigate websites, applications, and digital documents in any format and other digital resources.

Screen readers are also software products for users with learning disabilities. They locate the information on the computer screen and vocalize it using text-to-speech software and sometimes hardware.

By converting textual information and interface elements into speech, screen readers empower individuals to independently explore and engage with the digital world, fostering inclusivity and enhancing accessibility for everyone. That’s what inclusiveDocs is trying to do.

Read on to learn more details about how InclusiveDocs will help publishers.

Exploring the Key Role of InclusiveDocs in Digital Publishing

InclusiveDocs offers a screen reader mode and a possibility for publishers’ branded apps where each publisher can use their branded app and their issue for reading through the screen reader.

Our top priority is to make publications accessible, but we also offer a range of customization features during the process. With our platform, you can easily add media, play videos and gifs, HTML, and include interactive annotations on any page. Our tools make it simple to publish your content on both mobile and web platforms without requiring any programming skills. Not to mention that our screen readers are compatible with any system requirements, including iOS and Google Play.

From magazines and learning materials to administrative paperwork and publications, our platform ensures seamless access to all your favourite resources. With our user-friendly interface and advanced features, you can easily navigate through various formats and have a smooth user experience.

So say goodbye to the hassle of managing multiple subscriptions and platforms, and experience the convenience of our all-in-one solution.

Blowing Off the Steam for Customers

If you are a publisher seeking to digitize materials, InclusiveDocs is the perfect solution for you. It eliminates the need to limit your business and ensures that your issues are available and accessible to everyone.

Long story short, there is a moral imperative that your publications should be inclusive, but also there is one business case for complying with the law’s accessibility guidelines. At the end of the day, better access will provide more readers/users.

Empowering Dyslexic Individuals with InclusiveDocs

At InclusiveDocs, we offer digital editions that are enhanced with text-to-speech (TTS) technology for easier reading and listening. Our platform includes a vector zoom feature, which allows users to zoom in up to 30 times the regular zoom parameters. This feature is beneficial for users with visual impairments.

Our software is comprehensive and incorporates all the latest technological advancements. The most crucial component is our reflow feature which follows the dyslexic publishing guide by using appropriate fonts, typography, spacing, padding, and background to make our content accessible to everyone. By using InclusiveDocs, not only users with dyslexia but also people with learning disabilities and those learning a new language will benefit greatly.

Final Thoughts

As a publisher, making your content accessible to everyone through digital means can be a difficult task. However, InclusiveDocs is here to help remove those barriers and simplify the process of making your document formats and content accessible to all. Regardless of the user devices, and other range of user features, InclusiveDocs offers a robust and understandable reading experience. Having seamless navigation, descriptive text for all images and links, and added GIFs to your PDFs are powerful features that will make your publications among the best ones on the digital market.

If you are a publisher looking to create digital content from your printed publications, InclusiveDocs is here to help. Get in touch with us so we can help you launch digital products on the market.

Suppose you’re wondering why you should choose InclusiveDocs over our competitors. In that case, the answer is simple: we are committed to providing digital documents that are accessible, ensuring a more inclusive online experience for everyone. For over fifteen years, InclusiveDocs has harnessed cutting-edge AI, NLP, and other technology-based document remediation processes that can extract data from unstructured files such as PDF and EPUB. Our primary objective has always been to provide an accessible reading experience for all.

Now let’s discover the game-changing features of InclusiveDocs!

The AI Revolution: How InclusiveDocs Incorporates This Cutting-Edge Technology

Nowadays, AI can tackle some of the obstacles across various industries, starting from healthcare, publishers, education, and governmental institutions. But there is one field in which AI has massively advanced, and without question, that is assistive technology.

Millions of people worldwide face different challenges and rely heavily on assistive technology. Although you might think InclusiveDocs is just another fish in the sea of assistive technologies, we are here to prove you wrong.

InclusiveDocs expertly converts digital documents into various accessible formats, including PDFs and EPUBs. We start with basic features like text-to-speech and then elevate our services with AI capabilities to provide customized content that consistently meets the needs of our clients. Our fully accessible EPUBs are always available to you on any of your devices.

Continuous Progress of Iterative Improvements

Our software provides quick and accurate solutions. Although the initial document remediation may not be perfect, subsequent ones will improve as the AI learns from more data. The remediation process always involves a combination of manual and automated intervention, where there will be a great improvement with each future cycle. InclusiveDocs has nothing but rapid remediation with fast preciseness and quality.

Find your Perfect Balance With InclusiveDocs: Costs vs. Results

At InclusiveDocs, you can unlock many accessible formats in record time. You will have the opportunity to experience excellent efficiency. We understand the value of time, and our team is committed to saving you. InclusiveDocs’ time-saving solutions swiftly deliver diverse, accessible formats catering to our client’s needs.

So say goodbye to all time-consuming processes and give a chance to our streamlined approach that maximizes accessibility without delays! While we handle the rest, you can focus on your time and what matters.

Quality

As mentioned before, our team utilizes both AI and manual remediation. However, we prioritize manual remediation as the initial step for quality assurance. Subsequent iterations are improved as the AI receives more information and optimizes the format accordingly.

Our dedication to quality is unmatched. We believe in the power of manual remediation and AI to continuously improve our work as we strive to provide the best possible outcome for our clients.

Boxing Tool

Our software includes a valuable feature called a boxing tool. This tool provides options for both screen reader mode and enhancement mode. With enhancement mode, readers can add links, videos, gifs, HTML, and more to their PDFs. Whether you’re a publisher, an educator looking to make materials more accessible, or an organization seeking to digitalize materials, InclusiveDocs may be the perfect solution for you.

Conclusion

InclusiveDocs offers services that not only test and prepare your document formats for being accessible, but it provide complete remediation that all users can access. It is software that helps convert all types of digital content to be accessible for everyone. To learn more about InclusiveDocs, please visit our website or book a demo with someone from our team.

Unlike a good bottle of wine, your apps don’t improve with age. Hence, except for the modern look, our development team put all their efforts during the past several months into ensuring that we are knocking out of the park the essential features for updating the publisher’s info available now in the new portal. Now, you can access them as part of the Branded App card.

Let’s dive into all that news!

We’ve elevated our design

The release of our newly redesigned bookshelf provides a smooth user experience and an intuitive and modern interface design that makes us stand out from our competitors. This fresh and modern look is more client-oriented and will meet your client’s needs. We redesigned some of the elements of our brand identity, beautified our color palette, and brought to life our Bookshelf, focusing on minimalism and seamless navigation.

Following the path of the most successful and recognizable accessibility brands, InclusiveDocs invests a lot of time in improvements and optimizations. Thus, our team tirelessly works to improve the bookshelf for a better experience and easy navigation. We are thrilled to let you know that we will be introducing more updates soon. Please share your feedback and ideas with us to improve your experience.

Food for thought: InclusiveDocs dived deeper into our target audience, got all the feedback, and turned all ideas into reality. If you thought that redesign is only a fresh and modern look that follows the trends, you might be wrong because this is your product identity, and this is how we made our bookshelf memorable.

Our newly redesigned bookshelf portrays a sophisticated approach that highlights and provides you with the right amount of information to educate and convert potential customers. The robust and well-functioning design system with color–balanced layouts provides a functional user experience aligned with the latest standards. Together with the mobile responsive design, it creates a cohesion of great functioning.

At InclusiveDocs, we always put our clients first, so we devoted our time to redesigning the bookshelf, which is why we continue to be your first choice of assistive technology. Our approach to accessibility is unique and can adapt to each environment and individual. While having the same access to information is our main goal, we try to develop an excellent experience for all people with disabilities that will help them overcome barriers.

It is a well-known forum for presenting how cutting-edge technology incorporates the most practical solutions for disabled people, removing barriers and including everyone in all aspects of life.

Besides the pre-conference workshops, conferences, and sponsorship showcases, exhibitors will present their products in the Exhibit Hall! The Exhibit hall is the perfect spot for discovering and learning more about the latest practices in assistive technology, and that’s what InclusiveDocs offers.

Wednesday, March 13 – 17, at the Anaheim Marriott

Join us at boot #810

Let’s see what you will learn and discover about our product at the conference!

InclusiveDocs has been a valuable partner to all businesses for more than fifteen years, and we continue to meet the challenges of all clients by bringing document accessibility to a higher level. Essentially we have developed a document remediation process using AI, NLP, and other technologies that extract data from unstructured files (mostly pdf) and deliver an accessible reading experience for any.

Our output offers the end-user the ability to consume the content regardless of their disability, the content is reflowed into structured HTML, with screen reader compatibility, downloadable accessible ePub, and an accessible PDF.

The team will demonstrate InclusiveDocs and its components. All conference participants will be able to get familiar with the idea of using a multipurpose platform that allows brands to read and describe all types of content formats, making it accessible and usable by everyone. InclusiveDocs focuses on everyone regardless of their disability.

Our product offers everyone the same access to information, which is why InclusiveDocs has a screen reader with three different reading views. Those are the following: a classic view, a reflow view, and a screen reader view, as well as an opportunity to download an accessible PDF, ePub, and regular PDF.

Making your content accessible for everyone has never been easier!

You can test all reading views from the screen reader during the conference in the exhibit hall and see how each reading view differs. We’ll give you a little hint: you can adjust everything here, starting from a customized background, zooming, sharing links, usage of text-to-speech technology (TTS), and so on.

Another vital component of our product is the bookshelf. The bookshelf is a starting point for the screen reader and a list where all branded apps, articles, titles, and issues appear.

InclusiveDocs Brings Equalized and Innovative Opportunities for Publishers

One of InclusiveDocs’s crucial components is the “portal,” i.e., a platform with all possible features. The only access to this platform is for the admins and the publishers, who can manage all titles, issues, and branded apps here.

InclusiveDocs incorporates each environment easily. We aim to provide and share knowledge on making digital products accessible to people with different disabilities. Thus we include an advanced tool consisting of two components, a boxing component that enables the screen reader mode and an enhancement component that allows the reader to enrich their PDF by adding links, videos, gifs, HTML, etc. Whether you want to publish magazine content, have accessible learning materials, or digitalise and make administrative paperwork accessible, InclusiveDocs is the right solution for you.

InclusiveDocs crafts accessible digital solutions that change the world!

We offer a holistic approach to content accessibility that breaks down the silos in the daily spectrum of challenges.

Learn more about our product during the CSUN 38th Conference.

Drop by for some SWAG materials. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one that will win the giveaway!

See you at the Exhibit Hall on 13 – 17 March.

Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest news and announcements from the conference.

What Is A VPAT?

A Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a document that explains how the features and functional characteristics of a software product meet the Revised 508 Standards for IT accessibility. A VPAT helps federal government contracting agencies to accurately assess software products for accessibility when evaluating proposals for government solicitations.

InclusiveDocs has now acquired a formal Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR), derived from VPAT INT 2.4, complying with all the mandatory requirements for such a report (as designated by the U.S. Access Board for Revised Section 508 and thus WCAG 2.0 AA) and by the EU and other jurisdictions (as designated for EN 301 549 and thus WCAG 2.1 AA). The Accessibility Conformance Report can be viewed on the InclusiveDocs’ accessible reading platform here.

About InclusiveDocs

At InclusiveDocs, we believe that everyone should have equal access to information available online. That’s why we’ve created a digital publishing platform that converts online content into an accessible format for those with disabilities or visual and auditory impairments. As the world continues to evolve digitally, government regulations have been implemented to include digital accessibility. Our platform provides document accessibility solutions to ensure WCAG 2.1 compliance. InclusiveDocs offers a streamlined, cost-efficient alternative to manual remediation processes with dynamic features, including text-to-speech technology, on one integrated platform compatible with JAWS and other popular plug-ins.

About David Berman Communications

David Berman has over 30 years of experience in design and communications and has worked extensively in e-accessibility and inclusive interface design. David Berman Communications works with the Government of Canada and coalition of Canada’s top accessibility organizations to advise on the content of the Accessible Canada Act, as well as to provide advice on policies that will inform the regulations to come. David Berman is Vice-Chair of IAAP’s Global Council and has made contributions to the W3C, the publisher of the WCAG standard for e-accessibility.

The Metaverse also unlocks new levels of development in digital accessibility, but a lot is to be done before it can truly become a place where anyone can do anything. In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into what this means for people with disabilities and how we can create an accessible virtual experience together.

What is the Metaverse?

Facebook explains the Metaverse as a parallel reality where avatars are a representation of the human self. The Metaverse is meant to be an immersive journey, where you can be a part of the experience and not just observe it. In general, the Metaverse is comprised of virtual or augmented realities that are accessed via equipment like virtual reality headsets or goggles, computer screens, and controllers. The possibilities are endless in virtual worlds, giving people with and without disabilities experiences they’ve never had before.

Is it accessible?

In short, not totally. There’s something to be said about giving a physically disabled person the experience of running, jumping, or even flying. But as mentioned, entering these virtual experiences requires using VR equipment. While some accessible versions of VR equipment exist, like the Xbox Adaptive Controller (XAC), the majority are not disability friendly. Some VR headsets are simply too heavy and the controllers are made with fully able-bodied anatomy in mind.

On the other hand, sharing information via the Metaverse is pretty easy, and with the use of cryptocurrencies on the rise, the Metaverse is quickly becoming a marketplace for day-to-day transactions. The Metaverse can provide a platform for businesses and individuals to share information of any sort just as in the real world. But are the virtual documents shared within these transactions or interactions accessible to people with disabilities? Also, not totally (or not yet).

InclusiveDocs is contributing to an Accessible Digital World

You guessed it, that’s where we come in. InclusiveDocs provides streamlined document accessibility solutions applicable to any digital document. That means we’re ready to take on the Metaverse and every other virtual platform, creating digital documents with accessibility features customizable to fit each individual’s unique needs. We can help your organization to reach all members of your audience, in the real world or the virtual world. To learn more about how we can create accessible versions of your documents, visit our website or get in touch with our sales team today.

In this blog post, we’ll focus on solutions for document accessibility. Here’s a rundown of solutions that can be implemented for your organization to create accessible documents:

Accessible By Design

In other words, being “born accessible.” This means that documents or publications are created accessible within their original design. Creators of these documents must be trained to make them accessible within their workflow, so designers or content creators must be trained on all the various elements that make documents accessible.

Pro’s:
Being “born accessible” is a good option for companies that have the resources to train their personnel, and the in-house infrastructure to maintain it.

Con’s :
This solution is quite costly and will require continuous workflow alterations. Employees would need to be trained by a third party that offers accreditation in document accessibility and be kept informed of all of the regulations governing the process and output.

This option is more time-consuming, as additional steps will need to be added to the workflow, including tagging content, adding alt-text, and resolving contrast issues.

Finally, this option is lacking when it comes to the user experience (UX) since the final product would simply result in an accessible PDF. This type of content is not as discoverable, searchable, and shareable as an accessible HTML.

Hiring In-House Experts

This option requires sourcing and hiring staff that is trained and accredited in document accessibility.

Pro’s:
Having in-house accessibility connoisseurs can lead to fewer workflow alterations than being “born accessible.” It’s also a less expensive alternative to hiring a third-party consultant or organization.

Con’s:
Finding qualified accessibility experts can be extremely difficult given the complexity of the technical skills required.

Experts understand that accessibility is not a quick fix, but an ongoing process. This means they should have experience with assistive technologies that a person with a disability might use to access your content, as well as automated testing tools used to uncover accessibility roadblocks.

Accessibility personnel needs to have a good understanding of WCAG 2.0, laws surrounding web accessibility, including ADA, Section 508, or industry-specific guidelines, and what this means for the UX.

Just as in the Accessible By Design option, additional steps need to be taken in the workflow, and the UX is subpar resulting in only an accessible PDF.

Hiring a Third-Party

Working with companies that offer software solutions or remediation services and products.

Pro’s:
Hiring a third party to handle all of your accessibility needs means that no workflow alterations are needed and you can continue business as usual.

There is also no need to hire and train new personnel.

Con’s:
This option is very expensive, costing anywhere between $5 to $30 a page, which can result in skyrocketing costs for high-volume workflows.

The end product for this option is once again only an accessible PDF, compromising the UX and overall reading experience.

Working with InclusiveDocs

Our web platform solution creates accessible digital versions of your publications in 3 different reading modes, and downloadable PDFs or EPUBs.

Pro’s
We handle all of your document accessibility needs, so you can focus on your organization’s main initiatives without having to hire and train new personnel.

We are far less expensive than third-party document remediation companies, with pricing from 0.35 cents to $5 a page.

InclusiveDocs offers a superior UX, with 3 reading modes including Classic View for browsing pages, Reflow Mode for additional accessibility features, and Screen Reader mode for people who are blind or visually impaired. Our solution also provides the option to download content inaccessible PDF of EPUB formats for offline reading and website posting.

Our solution is flexible, with self-service or full-service offerings and our AI technology builds models from content layouts to increase the efficiency of the remediation process over time.

Con’s:
Can’t think of any!

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Plenty of options exist to create accessible documents for your company, but we think InclusiveDocs comes on top. Let us tell you more about it! To learn more, visit our website or get in touch with our team to book a free demo.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what PDF remediation is, why it’s important, and how InclusiveDocs can help.

What Is PDF Remediation?

PDF Remediation is the process of fixing accessibility errors that make it difficult or impossible for people with disabilities to read, navigate and interact with PDF files. Those with vision impairment, hearing loss, or cognitive disabilities may need special accommodations or tech (i.e. assistive technology) to read a PDF the way it was intended to be read.

If a PDF document is not initially created with digital accessibility in mind, it might not be widely accessible. To make the document accessible to everyone, the PDF is repaired or remediated. This process of repairing a PDF document is simply called PDF remediation. Just like accessible HTML content, PDF document accessibility plays a vital role in the overall accessibility of a website.

Why is PDF accessibility important?

PDF – Portable Document Format – is one of the most popular digital formats for all types of documents including guides, e-books, applications, invoices, and statements, to name a few. Most organizations have massive amounts of PDF documents as part of their digital assets, websites, apps, servers, databases, etc. These documents are usually meant to be accessed and used by the general public, but PDFs are not accessed the same way by every user. For example, a sighted user will access the PDF differently than a visually impaired person.

Remediation is a vital part of PDF accessibility in general. Every PDF document that is remediated can be used by a larger group of people, not to mention that such formats make the text, images, lists, links, and tables cleaner and more organized.

The biggest benefit to document remediation is that it ensures that everything looks the same online as it does in print. Whether it’s a desktop or a mobile device, Mac or Windows, an accessible PDF needs to be read (no matter what assistive technologies are used) and information must be presented accurately to the reader.

To make a PDF accessible, changes must be made to the original PDF document. A common misconception is that to make a PDF accessible, you only need to add tags. Although tagging is a critical component of the entire PDF remediation process, it is just one component. If you stop there, you leave a lot of potential errors behind. Achieving and maintaining compliance with current and always-changing document accessibility standards is challenging.

What Is PDF Tagging?

Essentially, PDF remediation is the process of “tagging” digital elements of PDF documents so that they can be read using assistive technology. The “tags” identify all elements in place and inform the technology about the right order in which they need to be read. Each of these digital tags identifies the type of content, storing some attributes related to it. Also, tags are used to arrange the document in a hierarchical structure, adding some order to the content (for example, organizing the headings, paragraphs, lists, images, tables, and footnotes in a PDF file).

There are only two ways to repair a PDF document and make it accessible – either do it yourself or have the document remediated by a professional. The first thing to do is determine how many PDFs your site has and where they are stored. Surprise! What if you find that your website has hundreds or even thousands of inaccessible PDF documents? What do you do then? You turn to InclusiveDocs.

The Process Of Remediating A PDF Document

PDF accessibility remediation requires manual labour. It takes a lot of work to ensure an accurate tag structure. Accessible documents need fixes in colour contrast, reading order, and alternative text, as well as both manual and automatic testing to ensure that everything is up to the latest accessibility standards.

InclusiveDocs does this. Once a PDF has been imported, the InclusiveDocs platform uses machine learning to determine the best AI model to use, at which point the Artificial Intelligence runs through each page of the PDF and tags its various elements in HTML, making sure to follow WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility guidelines.

Let us tell you all about it! To learn more, visit our website or get in touch with our team today.

Accessibility Laws in Banking

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits any organization that conducts business with the public from discriminating against people with disabilities. Under the ADA’s Title III, banks and credit unions must give equal treatment to all customers, regardless of disabilities. However, a recent audit conducted by Texthelp of the top 30 financial institutions in the United States found that none of the financial institutions’ web pages were compliant with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards. Digital accessibility in the banking sector requires a major revamp. We are living in the digital era (and amid a pandemic), which means that accessible technology should be at the forefront of every organization’s initiatives.

Digital Banking Trends: Implications on Accessibility

People with disabilities are often less inclined than the general public to use a computer or smartphone to conduct their banking transactions simply because many of them cannot use financial websites and apps without assistance due to barriers to access. Until the digital banking experience is on par with in-person transactions, the acceleration of digital banking is a double-edged sword. The number of interactive websites and mobile apps for bank customers is on the increase, while at the same time, the number of bank branches in communities is decreasing.

With so many options to choose from, banks and financial institutions must remain competitive, and one way to do that is to provide the services customers demand, where and how they want them. Accessibility is the key. In 2018, about 61 per cent of Americans used digital banking. This statistic is set to rise to 65.3 per cent by 2022. The huge increase in private-party lawsuits under the ADA and related state laws shows no sign of slowing. Web accessibility lawsuits are on track to increase 20% in 2021.

How InclusiveDocs Can Contribute To Accessible Banking

At InclusiveDocs, we believe everyone should have access to important information about their finances, and equal rights to manage this information too. Our platform provides accessibility solutions applicable to banking and other industries providing digital communications to the public. To learn more about how you can create an accessible banking experience with us, visit our website or get in touch with our sales team today.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss how accessible textbooks can empower all students and enhance their learning experience.

What are accessible textbooks?

Accessible textbooks are essentially e-versions of print textbooks with added accessibility features. These features are designed to make learning materials accessible to students who are blind or have low vision, to those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and to those who have intellectual, developmental or learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. These features can include text-to-speech (TTS) to narrate text out loud, audio descriptions of images, and customization options for font colour and size. The best part about accessible textbooks is that they can enrich the learning experience for all students because they present information more interactively since students can customize the way they study unique to their needs.

Why Accessible Education Matters

Education should be challenging for all learners, but the added challenge for students with disabilities is struggling to adapt to traditional forms of teaching that use a “one size fits all” approach. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 7.3 million public school students in the United States received special education services in 2019-2020. Every student is unique in the way they retain information, which is why it is important to develop tools that provide them with a level playing field and equal opportunities for success. Unfortunately, the consequences of inadequate learning environments can impact the success of a student beyond their school years. Not only are students with disabilities less likely to complete post-secondary education, but they are also less likely to attain employment in comparison to their peers without disabilities. According to Statistics Canada, persons with disabilities have lower personal income compared to those without disabilities, and almost one-third of working-age adults with more severe disabilities are living in poverty.

Mental health is also an important factor to consider because the impact of an inaccessible education system goes beyond the economic repercussions. Most recent data from the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada for Canadian students aged 15 or over showed that three out of five youth with disabilities have a mental health-related disability. With implications that the after-effects of COVID-19 have increased anxiety among students learning online, there is a strong case for the need to find a solution for accessible education in all forms.

How InclusiveDocs can contribute to accessible learning

Our platform provides fully accessible digital editions of learning materials equipped with accessibility features like text-to-speech and customization options. InclusiveDocs is also designed to make learning from home easier since students can access their learning materials through their desktop computers or any mobile device connected to the internet.

To learn more about how you can create an accessible learning experience with us, visit our website or get in touch with our sales team today.

PDF

PDF, which stands for Portable Document Format, is the most common type of digital document. What most people don’t know is that PDFs are intended for print and should not be used to present digital content. For that reason, reading PDFs online is like navigating through an ocean of text that is difficult to customize on your screen. For some people with disabilities, this means that getting information from PDFs is burdensome or next to impossible. Because PDFs are meant for print, they do not have accessibility features that allow users to customize text size, colour, contrast, or other important factors that make a document legible for everyone. They are sized for paper too, which means they won’t adjust their layout according to screen sizes, requiring you to zoom into small text and scroll or drag to follow along.

For digital content producers, using PDFs means compromising on functionality and creativity. Delivering a message can be difficult when your intended audience is not able to easily find what they are looking for beyond a search bar. Because it limits the way content is presented, creators will have fewer chances of initiating an engaging and interactive experience too.

EPUB

EPUB, short for electronic publication, is another popular file format used for eBooks and other digital content. EPUBs can store a multitude of different types of content without compromising on layout, size, or formatting. They have a reflowable format, which means the line lengths readjust according to the size of the screen. EPUBs also have text-to-speech options for users who are blind or visually impaired, and customizable font sizes and colours, which improve the user experience for those who are dyslexic or colour-blind. For these reasons, EPUBs score much higher in terms of accessibility standards. Users can access EPUB content through many popular e-readers like Kindle or iBooks.

Conclusion: EPUBs are a clear winner

While it is virtually impossible to create a perfectly accessible piece of content, we believe that EPUBs are a step closer to creating an accessible reading experience for everyone, regardless of capabilities. InclusiveDocs offers an EPUB solution through our digital document platform so that users can take their content offline and enjoy an accessible reading experience. To learn more about how you can create an accessible digital reading experience with us, get in touch with our sales team here.

Everyone uses forms. Electronic forms are becoming the standard in many industries including all levels of government. Forms can be visually and cognitively complex and challenging to use. Accessible forms are easier to use for everyone, including people with disabilities.

People with cognitive disabilities can better understand the requirements of specific forms and how to complete them when the forms have been made accessible, including by improving layout, structure, instructions, etc.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are organized by four main principles, which state that content must be POUR: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. These guidelines should form the basis of “form accessibility”.

Forms are a mundane part of most websites and are often overlooked. They’re that boring part of a website where you fill in your details to get the information you want. Fillable forms have been around for a long time, and because they’re so familiar, some content designers presume that forms are a problem that’s already been solved. Not quite. Complex forms are often cited as one of the most problematic areas for screen reader users.

Forms are used to provide user interaction on websites and in web applications. For example, login, registering, commenting, and purchasing. Because the act of filling out a form brings the user to a website, the opportunity to impress and promote anything to the user is great.

Just a few features to take into consideration when creating accessible forms:

• Users usually prefer simple-to-complete, short forms. If irrelevant or excessive data is requested, users are more likely to abandon the form.

• Time limits are another thing that is important to consider. If at all possible, forms should not be subject to a time limit to allow users to complete the form at their own pace.

• People with limited dexterity benefit from large clickable areas.

For more information about guidelines and some good tutorials go to https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/forms/#related

Content enhancement tools like those offered by InclusiveForms will not only help in increasing your audience engagement but will also assist in harnessing targeted advertising opportunities. InclusiveForms allows you to create accessible, fillable HTML forms, quizzes, surveys, and polls with ease.

Polls: Gather reliable feedback frequently and economically. Polls have been proven to be the most honest feedback collection method. It’s quick and easy.

Surveys: Collect answers to the questions that need to be asked. Style, brand, and format it your way. Receive accurate data that you can use instantly. MediaWire’s surveys look great on every device your customers have. No need to worry about outdated form software not working on today’s devices.

With MediaWire’s survey software, your collected data is seamlessly inputted into your CRM in real time, allowing you to customize your engagement and follow-up with your customers.

Quizzes: Create addictively fun quizzes that people will be excited to share. Excited users make it possible to reach millions of people across the globe. Bridging the gap between printed material and interactive digital technologies is a big challenge. QR and other calls to action in print media easily pull potential customers into an engaging experience on any device.

Readers expect a lot from their digital experiences. Give them a quiz, poll, or survey to take after they read an article. This will reinforce the content, entertain & engage your audience, and keep your business top-of-mind.

The Audience Engagement tools combine powerful features such as conditions, skip logic, text merging, and hidden items with an intuitive and easy-to-use interface. Enjoy limitless branding and style options and an intuitive reporting and export module.

Explore our out-of-the-box features and see how you’ll benefit from our enterprise-level solution at inclusiveforms.com

The guidance now states, “If you publish a PDF or other non-HTML document without an accessible version, you may be breaking the law.”

Laws and guidelines like this are sure to follow in short order in Canada, the United States and other countries. This chart gives current information about accessibility laws in different countries.

This trend away from static documentation (PDF) has significant ramifications for anyone managing large, content-heavy websites or institutions where their catalogue of documents has been converted to PDFs as a first attempt at providing accessible digital data. As technology improves and the digital world steps away from PDFs, pressure will grow on all companies to ensure that their content is presented in ways that are accessible to all users. It’s only fair.

The popularity of PDFs is precisely because they are quick to produce, easy to upload and have long been seen as a shortcut to digital publishing, but they are typically less accessible than their HTML or open document equivalents. They are sometimes impossible for people to read because they’re not designed to be read on-screen, and they are harder to maintain and so easily become out of date. In truth, PDFs are a poor choice for content that’s designed to be consumed online, especially for users with visual accessibility needs, but until now they have been an affordable, easy way to be compliant.

PDFs were never a great format for digital content but they serve their purpose in other ways. They are important for users who like or need to print, and in making print-first content available online. They continue to fill a valuable role and are not going away any time soon, but there are now better ways to provide accessible information. The decline of PDFs has been signalled for well over a decade. We’re seeing real progress in accessible content. This decision will remind content designers, digital strategists and coders that what’s being signalled or encouraged now may well become mandatory in the future.

To be fully Inclusive and Accessible, electronic forms of all types must be easy to understand, complete, and submit. Instructions, cues and ways of interacting with the world. “Accessibility” traditionally means making special considerations for people with disabilities. By providing access to Inclusive Forms in their digital space, companies and institutions of all types can provide the broadest options to fulfil almost all of a user's accessibility needs. It is now possible to create complex Accessible fillable HTML forms, quizzes, surveys and polls with ease. The Inclusive Form Creator does all of this and more. It will build fully customizable surveys, forms and quizzes that seamlessly integrate into your workflow. Inclusive Form Creator goes beyond cloud-based surveys, easily embedding HTML forms, quizzes, surveys, polls and more in most applications. At its root, the word accessibility is the “ability” to “access”. Making your business accessible for people of all abilities not only increases your customer base and makes good economic sense, but it benefits eves, required fields and field formatting requirements must be identified to users.

Forms can be visually and cognitively complex and challenging to use for anyone. Accessible forms are easier to use for everyone, including people with disabilities such as:

• People with cognitive disabilities can better understand the form and how to complete it, as making forms accessible improves the layout structure, instructions, and feedback.

• People using speech input can use the labels via voice commands to activate controls and move the focus to the fields that they have to complete.

• People with limited dexterity benefit from large clickable areas that include labels, especially for smaller controls, such as radio buttons and checkboxes.

• People using screen readers can identify and understand form controls more easily because they are associated with labels, field sets, and other structural elements.

Inclusive or universal design considers as many people’s needs as possible. It aims to please a diverse range of individuals and accommodate a variety of experiences and ways of interacting with the world. “Accessibility” traditionally means making special considerations for people with disabilities. By providing access to Inclusive Forms in their digital space, companies and institutions of all types can provide the broadest options to fulfill almost all of a users accessibility needs.

It is now possible to create complex Accessible fillable HTML forms, quizzes, surveys and polls with ease. The Inclusive Form Creator does all of this and more. It will build fully-customizable surveys, forms and quizzes that seamlessly integrate into your workflow. Inclusive Form Creator goes beyond cloud-based surveys, easily embedding HTML forms, quizzes, surveys, polls and more in most applications.

At its root the word accessibility is the “ability” to “access”. Making your business accessible for people of all abilities not only increases your customer base and makes good economic sense, it benefits everyone and helps to create a more inclusive society.

A very informative article by Nielsen Norman Group about PDFs and Accessibility can be found here

Potential drawbacks to making PDFs accessible include:

1. Developers require the full (paid) version of Adobe Acrobat to inspect and insert image alt text and other accessibility accommodations into a PDF file. Typically only the PDF reader software is available at no charge.

2. The process of repairing PDF files is currently both time-consuming and can lead to inconsistent results. More training and plugins are required to make PDF content accessible than other formats like HTML and Word, or the accessible publishing standard, ePUB.

3. PDF documents are usually formatted to be printed vertically, but computer monitors and e-readers are typically horizontal. This mismatch causes users to scroll more often than on a Web site, which can be difficult for users with mobility impairments.

4. Large files can be very slow to download.

5. PDFs consisting of or containing some scanned pages are a series of images, and therefore inaccessible to screen readers. Only an OCR (optical character reader) scanner can save a scanned document as a text file, and the formatting sometimes is messy, to say the least.

6. The interface between a browser and a PDF file is not consistent across platforms and browsers.

If creating PDFs is still something you want to do, more information about creating accessible PDFs can be found here, at Section 508. gov. BUT…

A better solution is…ePub!

WHAT IS EPUB?

ePub is an e-book file format with the extension .epub that can be downloaded and read on devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, or e-readers. It is an official technical standard published by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). The term is short for electronic publication. ePub is the most widely supported vendor-independent XML-based (as opposed to PDF) e-book format; that is, it is supported by the largest number of hardware readers. It is free to use.

Inclusive Docs’ EPUB SOLUTION is here.

Inclusive Docs’s platform can easily ingest and display your ePubs. With the Inclusive Docs solution, you can display publications on the web, mobile web and in native apps.

With Inclusive Docs’s ePub solution, you can:

• Have your content automatically adapt to their display screens rather than forcing the reader to pan and zoom around pre-formatted content

• Manage your ePub documents across all your environments.

• Seamlessly integrate and manage all your environments with one point of access

• Stream your ePubs to any device

• Publish once, display everywhere

• No plugins or downloads are required by your users

• We provide a complete set of authoring tools to enhance and distribute

• Distribute directly to iOS and Android devices using the Inclusive Docs app

• Deliver your ePubs in pagination display or by article

• ePub publications can now contain video, audio, and interactivity – just like websites

Check out what Inclusive Docs can do for you.