ACCESSIBLE PDFS AND FORMS
LEARN HOW TO CREATE PDFS AND FORMS THAT WORK FOR EVERYONE
What this course is about
A practical, hands‑on course that shows you how to convert Word documents into accessible PDFs, fix common accessibility issues, and create forms that work properly with screen readers and assistive technologies.
This course builds directly on House Rules for Accessible Word Documents and focuses on the specific techniques needed to produce WCAG compliant, usable PDFs and digital forms.
Duration
1 - 2 days
Delivery
Online or in-house
Numbers
Maximum of 15
Trainer
Rachel or Alexia
From Word to accessible PDF
You’ll learn how to convert structured Word documents into accessible PDFs without losing headings, tags, metadata or reading order.
Fixing real‑world accessibility issues
We work through a live demo of repairing an inaccessible PDF — including missing tags, incorrect reading order, inaccessible tables, unlabeled form fields and contrast issues.
Creating accessible forms
You’ll learn how to build forms that work for everyone, including:
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properly labelled fields
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logical tab order
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accessible checkboxes and radio buttons
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error messages that can be read by screen readers
Public‑sector‑ready practice
We focus on the issues that appear most often in NHS, council and policing documents, including legacy PDFs, scanned documents, and forms created without accessibility in mind.
Flexible delivery
Delivered in person or online, over 1–2 days, for up to 15 participants — led by Rachel or Alexia.
What you'll learn
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
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Convert Word documents into accessible PDFs without losing structure
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Repair inaccessible PDFs using Acrobat’s accessibility tools
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Create accessible forms with labelled fields, correct tab order and screen‑reader‑friendly controls
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Apply PDF tagging, metadata and reading‑order best practice
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Spot and fix common accessibility issues in existing PDFs and forms
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Ensure PDF and forms can be read by a screen reader
Who this course is for
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Communications and engagement professionals
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Policy writers, analysts and report authors
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Teams producing public‑facing PDFs or digital forms
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Anyone responsible for WCAG and accessibility compliance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this training about?
A practical course that shows you how to create accessible PDFs and forms using tagging, reading order, metadata and best‑practice accessibility techniques.
Do I need any prior accessibility knowledge?
No. The course is designed for anyone who produces PDFs or forms, regardless of experience. We would recommend most people would benefit from leaning how to make accessible Word documents first - or in addition.
Will I learn how to fix existing PDFs?
Yes — you’ll watch a live demo of repairing an inaccessible PDF and learn how to apply the same techniques to your own documents.
Does the training cover accessible forms?
Yes — you’ll learn how to create accessible forms with labelled fields, correct tab order and screen‑reader‑friendly controls.
Is this suitable for public‑sector teams?
Absolutely. The course is built around the real accessibility issues found in NHS, council and policing documents.
Can the training be delivered online or tailored to us?
Yes — it can be delivered in person or online, and we can tailor examples and exercises to your organisation’s needs.
Get in touch
If you don’t see exactly what you’re looking for here, we also design bespoke training courses and tailored packages to meet your organisation’s specific needs. With broad experience across communications, marketing and engagement, we can create practical, relevant learning shaped around your goals, team and challenges.
Get in touch to discuss your requirements or book a 30-minute introductory conversation.