Enhancing Accessibility of Digital Content

Background:

In response to evolving industry standards, a prominent university recognized the need to enhance the accessibility of their digital content. This decision was driven not only by a commitment to inclusive learning but also by industry standards mandating equitable access to information and resources for all individuals. The project encompassed a comprehensive approach to remediating PDF pages, ensuring adherence with universally recognized accessibility guidelines while simultaneously meeting the needs of diverse users.

The ansrAccess team faced several challenges as we embarked on this collaboration. With a vast repository of content – beginning with 273 pages spread across three modules, each containing 5-10 articles – the scope of the project was immense.

Additionally, the intricate level of PDF remediation necessitated a strategic approach. Our primary objective was to collaborate with the university to enhance the accessibility of this content, aligning it with the rigorous criteria stipulated by WCAG standards.

Facing complex requirements for PDF remediation, several ansrsource business units worked together to overcome challenges and meet project timelines. This included the ansrAccess team, providing specialized accessibility solutions.

PDF Complexity and Solution: To satisfy the intricate level of PDF remediation required, we leveraged expertise from several ansrAccess teams, avoiding potential delays. This strategic maneuver ensured efficient project progression and the highest quality PDF remediation.
Tailored Training Approach: Integration of cross-team members necessitated customized training. Conducted by skilled trainers, sessions were recorded to enable revisits. Offline practice with real files enhanced team members’ proficiency.
Agile Execution: Executing via Agile methodology enabled flexibility and iterative advancements. Role specialization was key, with ID experts crafting alt-texts, developers meticulously tagging PDFs, and UAT testers conducting thorough Adobe Acrobat Reader evaluations.

The culmination of this collaborative effort resulted in a remarkable transformation of the content. What started as intricate PDF filesposing accessibility obstaclesbecame far more accessible learning experiences. Navigational elements, formatting, and the integration of non-text components were systematically addressed, leading to an elevation in user experience. Beyond the technical aspects, this transformation exemplified ansrAccess’ dedication to inclusive learning and our alignment with contemporary standards of digital accessibility. The client was pleased with the results and has given us another nine modules to work on, comprising about 1,000 more pages.

Measurable impact:

The impact of our partnership extends across multiple dimensions. Beyond fulfilling the primary objective of enhancing accessibility, our collaborative effort sparked a cultural shift within the organization. The digital content is now fully inclusive, guaranteeing a broader spectrum of learners can engage seamlessly with it. Our collaboration advanced the organization’s proactive embrace of accessibility, underscoring their commitment to user-centricity and readiness to adapt to evolving industry standards.