Original PDF
The guide lacks dependable structure, reading order, document properties, descriptive links, and sufficient contrast.
Open inaccessible PDFProject 02 · Document accessibility
Accessible document evaluation and remediation
Case study overview
This case study compares inaccessible and remediated PDF and PowerPoint materials for the same fictional workshop program. It demonstrates how structure, reading order, descriptive language, contrast, and document properties change the experience for people using assistive technology.
- My role
- Created the simulated files; introduced barriers, tested, remediated, and compared them
- Formats
- PDF and PowerPoint
- Test matrix
- Structure, reading order, links, contrast, metadata, keyboard, and screen reader
- Outcome
- Equivalent workshop information provided in both remediated formats
Training note: These files intentionally contain barriers and are provided only for comparison and testing.
Original PowerPoint
The deck contains unclear object order, repeated or missing slide titles, visual-only meaning, and incomplete supporting information.
Download inaccessible PowerPoint| Severity | Barrier | User impact | WCAG | Remediation and status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serious | Missing semantic structure | PDF and slides lacked dependable headings and relationships. | 1.3.1 | Added headings, lists, and appropriate document structure. Targeted retest: passed |
| Serious | Incorrect reading or object order | Assistive technology presented content in a confusing sequence. | 1.3.2 | Corrected the PDF reading order and PowerPoint object order. Targeted retest: passed |
| Serious | Missing document information | The title and language were not reliably available to assistive technology. | 3.1.1 · 2.4.2 | Set descriptive titles and the document language. Targeted retest: passed |
| Moderate | Insufficient contrast | Some text was difficult to distinguish from its background. | 1.4.3 | Adjusted foreground and background colors and retested contrast. Targeted retest: passed |
| Moderate | Unclear links | Link text did not explain its destination when read out of context. | 2.4.4 | Replaced vague wording with descriptive link text. Targeted retest: passed |
| Moderate | Visual-only meaning | Status and relationships depended on color, position, or appearance. | 1.3.1 · 1.4.1 | Added explicit text and programmatic structure. Targeted retest: passed |
Document remediation changes programmatic structure as well as visual appearance. The following examples describe what was corrected in the files.
PDF structure
Added a logical tag tree, heading hierarchy, list structure, descriptive links, document title, language, and corrected reading order.
PowerPoint structure
Added unique slide titles, corrected object order, clarified status text, improved contrast, and completed speaker notes.
Testing judgment
Reviewed navigation and reading sequence with assistive technology instead of treating a built-in checker as proof of accessibility.
- Establish purpose and sequence. Identify the information hierarchy before changing tags or object order.
- Inspect structure and properties. Verify headings, lists, links, language, titles, and alternatives.
- Evaluate visual access. Check contrast, magnification, layout, and visual-only meaning.
- Retest the finished artifact. Navigate and read the document in context.
Accessible PDF
The remediated guide includes document properties, semantic structure, logical reading order, meaningful links, sufficient contrast, and clear headings.
Open accessible PDFAccessible PowerPoint
The remediated deck uses unique slide titles, logical object order, readable type, sufficient contrast, explicit status language, and complete speaker notes.
Download accessible PowerPointThe remediated files were reviewed for document properties, navigation, reading and object order, structure, links, contrast, and assistive-technology output. Each documented barrier passed its targeted retest.
Scope note: This is a focused portfolio exercise using fictional content, not a conformance certification for a client document.
Open sample accessibility audit report