PDF Accessibility in Foxit PDF Editor+
Table of Contents
If you haven't already checked out the Digital Accessibility Training Options available to PSU employees, please do so when you have the chance! These training resources will provide some context for the accessibility validation and remediation checkpoints below.
What is Foxit PDF Editor+?
Foxit PDF Editor+ is professional Portable Document Format (PDF) editing software that allows for the validation and remediation of properties, reading order, alternative text, tag structure, and form functionality—all required validation and remediation checkpoints to ensure PDF accessibility.
PSU employees may request access to Foxit PDF Editor+ by submitting a Software Install request through the Office of Information Technology (OIT).
How Do I Use Foxit PDF Editor+?
When you create an electronic document using an authoring tool that allows for accessible design, you can export to PDF and retain most of the necessary tag structure—making accessibility validation and remediation in Foxit PDF Editor+ relatively quick and easy. When you inherit a PDF, and the source document is unavailable, validation and remediation may take extra time and effort.
Checkpoints for Standard PDFs
Review and Repair Properties
Run OCR (if necessary)
Run Optical Character Recognition (OCR) on any flat PDFs.
Run Autotag (if necessary)
Run autotag to apply some preliminary tag structure.
Review and Repair Reading Order
View and repair reading order using the Reading Order tool.
Review and Repair Alternative Text
Add or correct alternative text using the Reading Order tool.
Review and Repair Tag Structure
View and repair tag structure using the Tags panel.
Remove or replace tags using the Reading Order tool.
Additional Steps for PDF Forms
For validation and security purposes, accessible PDF forms that require a legal signature should be distributed via a valid e-signature application, such as Adobe Sign.
Review and Repair Field Properties
Set an accessible font and font size for all fillable form fields.
Include unique, descriptive tooltips that duplicate field names exactly.
Ensure that each form field as accurately set as required or not required.
Review and Repair Tab Order
Ensure logical tab order for each fillable form field.
Validate the position of each new field in the Tags panel.
Final Automated Check and Fixes
Foxit PDF Editor+ features an automated Accessibility Check and Fixes tool that can be used to double check your work.
Web Accessibility in Mind (WebAIM) likewise offers helpful, step-by step resources on Foxit and PDF Accessibility and Accessible Forms in Foxit.
If you have any additional questions regarding digital accessibility for non-instructional digital resources at PSU, please submit a request for Digital Accessibility Support.
PSU Help Center (portal) link: https://portlandstate.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/1014/article/3123085332