Accessible PDF Forms using Adobe Acrobat Professional

Sean Keegan

High Tech Center Training Unit for the California Community Colleges

Overview

Adobe LiveCycle Designer

Notes:

Designing PDF Forms

Notes:

Adobe's LiveCycle Designer allows authors to create forms (called .XFA-based PDF) that can be exported to PDF version; however, it is not possible for others to then edit this form using Adobe Acrobat. Adobe PDF Forms Access is another tool that will allow document authors tag PDF documents as well as add the necessary form fields for accessibility. Adobe Acrobat Professional will also allow you to create PDF forms (called Acroforms). Generally speaking, using LiveCycle Designer allows for the most flexibility for acccessible form creation.

Basic PDF Types

Notes:

Adding Tags to PDF Documents

Notes:
Untagged PDF documents may be usable with assistive computer technology, however, it is not possible to manipulate the reading order until the document becomes tagged. A PDF document created using Distiller would be an example of an untagged document.

For PDF forms created in Adobe Acrobat, you will need to start with a tagged PDF before adding the form information.

Evaluating the Reading Order

Notes:
It is important to assess the reading order if the document contains a number of text boxes or sidebars as these are not always organized into a logical reading order.

Basic Form Field Types

Notes:

Resources

Notes:

Thank you