PDFs

Create an accessible PDF document using Microsoft Word

You first need to make sure that your original Word document is accessible, then you will be able to convert it to an accessible PDF using Word. Learn more about creating accessible documents in Microsoft Word.

The exported PDF will preserve the accessible features of the Word document, including:

  • heading structure
  • alternate text for images
  • lists
  • tables

Note: The process of creating an accessible PDF requires the installation of Adobe Acrobat Pro. IU Students and Staff may download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Pro from IUware.

For downloadable cheat-sheets and information about other versions of Adobe Acrobat, please visit the National Center on Disability and Access to Education’s section on Adobe Acrobat.

Screenshot of Microsoft Word Info menu with Save as Adobe PDF option selected and highlighted.
To convert your Word document, first select Save as Adobe PDF in the File menu.
Screenshot of the Word Save Adobe PDF File As dialog with the Options button highlighted. Inset inside this dialog is the Acrobat PDFMaker dialog with the Enable Accessibility and Reflow with tagged Adobe PDF check box checked and highlighted.
Then select the Options button in the Save Adobe PDF File As dialog. Finally, check Enable Accessibility and Reflow with tagged Adobe PDF.

Next pages about PDFs

Accessibility tools     Advanced accessibility tools