Document accessibility works best when teams build it into the creation process instead of waiting to fix problems after publication.
In this episode, Accessibility Consultant Carolyn T. shares practical lessons from working on both sides of document accessibility: as a graphic designer creating content and as a remediator working with the structure behind accessible documents.
The conversation covers how organizations can improve accessibility at the source, including:
- Creating meaningful document structure in Microsoft Word
- Pairing accessible templates with staff training
- Using document metadata effectively
- Designing charts that do not rely on color alone
- Understanding PDF tags and remediation
- Using accessibility checkers with appropriate caution
- Testing documents from the user's perspective
- Building accessibility into everyday content workflows
Carolyn brings more than 20 years of graphic design experience to her accessibility work. While supporting a government agency navigating the Title II deadline, she built her unit's document accessibility program from the ground up. Her work includes developing a standard operating procedure, creating accessible Word templates, and training staff to create more accessible documents in Microsoft Word.
Her experience offers an important perspective for organizations trying to move accessibility upstream. Better source documents can reduce preventable remediation, while practical training helps content creators understand how their decisions affect people using assistive technology.
Carolyn also publishes Document Accessibility by Design, a LinkedIn series offering practical accessibility guidance for writers and content creators: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolyn-t-designer/
She also operates a graphic design studio serving clients across the United States: https://parlaygraphicdesign.com/
If your organization is developing or improving its document accessibility program, this episode offers practical ideas for creating repeatable processes, building internal expertise, and making accessibility part of everyday content creation.
Interested in joining the conversation?
The Accessibility Guy podcast welcomes guests from across the accessibility community, including accessibility professionals, developers, designers, educators, government leaders, assistive technology experts, and people with lived experience.
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