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Adobe + Accessibility

Features and Resources

aub.ie/adobeaccessibility

You can also visit these resources on the Adobe Creative Space web page

Dr. Chelsy Hooper, Instructional Technology Coordinator, AU Libraries, Adobe Creative Space; hooperc@auburn.edu

AU Employees and Students: free access to Adobe Creative Cloud

adobe.auburn.edu

Accessibility at Adobe

Accessibility at Adobe web site

October 2025 Adobe MAX online session on 'Designing for Everyone: Adobe and the Future of Accessibility in Education [OS201]' (log in with your AU email and password to view)

Adobe Express

  • To log in to Adobe Express: visit express.adobe.com
  • Offers templates designed with accessibility in mind, including high-contrast layouts and readable fonts
  • Supports clear color choices and simple design elements for visual accessibility
  • Adobe Express offers simple templates and design elements that are optimized for accessibility, allowing users to quickly create accessible graphics and social media posts
  • Add automatic tags to PDFs when downloading files (uses same code as Acrobat Pro), enter alt text on Express Web Pages
  • Use Add-ons to check your files (add only Free ones, keep in mind these are third-party and may not always be available). Filter by Free Add-ons and Search for Add-ons for Contrast Checker, Color Blindness Checker. To use it, first add an Add-on, then open a file you want to check in Adobe Express, then click Add-ons, and open the Add-on you want to use. Then you can interact with the Add-on to check your file. You can select specific elements of the file to check using the Add-on as well.
  • Export Presentations as PPT files
  • Caption video
  • Adobe Express help site
  • Free online course available in LinkedIn/Elevated (visit via AU Access): Social Media Accessibility and Compliance

Adobe Podcast

Adobe InDesign

  • Adobe's professional publication layout application
  • Provides tools for adding alt text to images and graphics
  • Enables creation of tagged PDFs to support screen readers
  • Supports defining reading order, headings, and structure for accessible documents (info on Styles)
  • Extensive font style, size and spacing control, access to more fonts through Adobe Fonts
  • Adobe’s Accessibility Checker, available in InDesign and Acrobat, helps users identify and resolve accessibility issues before publishing content
  • Structuring PDFs in InDesign

Adobe Premiere Pro

  • Adobe's professional video editor application
  • Allows for caption and subtitle creation and editing to make video content accessible
  • Text-based video editing helps increase speed in editing and creation of more accurate transcriptions
  • Supports separate audio tracks for audio descriptions to enhance accessibility for visually impaired viewers
  • Integrates with third-party plugins for automated accessibility features
  • Adobe Premiere Pro Accessibility help site

Adobe Acrobat Pro

  • Enables tagging of PDF elements (headings, lists, tables) for screen reader navigation.
  • Tip: Create your document in an MS Office app such as Word and make that version accessible first (use Styles for headers, give the document a title in Properties, use alt text for images, etc.) then Save as PDF (online, not print) to auto tag the PDF (not Print to PDF). Then you can open the PDF in Acrobat and use the Prepare for Accessibility tool, Check for Accessibility in Acrobat to run a report, then make additional manual adjustments as needed in Word, re-save as PDF (online) or use Acrobat tools to correct - repeat until you get a clean report.
  • Supports adding alt text to images and ensuring proper reading order in PDFs
  • Provides accessibility checks and remediation tools to identify and fix issues. Adobe Acrobat includes tools for checking document accessibility, such as the Accessibility Checker, which identifies issues and suggests fixes for PDFs (All Tools, Prepare for Accessibility)
  • Offers Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to convert scanned documents into editable and searchable PDFs
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro Accessibility help site
  • For questions related to Adobe Acrobat Pro, contact your OIT staff contact; view the directory
  • Free internal online courses available in LinkedIn/ Elevated for employees (visit via AU Access): Document Accessibility 101
  • Free external online courses available in LinkedIn/ ElevatED for employees (visit via AU Access): Acrobat Pro Essential Training; Creating Accessible PDFs; Advanced Accessible PDFs
Prepare for accessibility tool in Adobe Acrobat Pro

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Scan

  • Adobe Scan (mobile app) can convert printed documents into accessible PDFs by recognizing text and allowing for tagging and alt text addition
  • Adobe Scan uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to convert scanned documents, receipts, business cards, and whiteboards into editable and searchable PDFs
  • OCR in Adobe Scan automatically detects text in images and scanned files, allowing users to copy, search, and annotate the extracted text directly within the PDF
  • This feature is especially helpful for making physical documents accessible, as it enables screen readers and other assistive technologies to interpret and read the text content
  • Users can save scans to Adobe Document Cloud for easy sharing and integration with other Adobe tools, supporting workflow and accessibility needs
  • Adobe Scan help site

Additional Adobe Application Features

  • Adobe Stock provides a curated library of accessible imagery, including images with appropriate contrast and options for adding descriptive metadata
  • Adobe Color offers a Contrast Checker tool and Color Blind Safe tool
  • Many Creative Cloud apps support scalable UI and adjustable font sizes and styles to improve readability for users with low vision
  • Adobe provides extensive documentation and tutorials focused on accessible design practices, helping users create content that meets WCAG and Section 508 guidelines; visit the Adobe Help Center to search for assistance with specific apps

Other Resources, Tips

  • Auburn's curated accessibility resources at aub.ie/a11y
  • Auburn's Brand Center - however some of the secondary colors are not accessible, visit aub.ie/a11y for more info
  • Use Auburn's instance of Copilot Chat (sign in with your AU login) to help review your finalized file or help with alt text generation- this is helpful if you created the file outside of MS Office Apps (example- detailed images in Adobe Express, a Photoshop or Illustrator file)
  • Getting super creative with Adobe apps? Create a second, accessible version of your product/ file (example: an accessible web site/ Word/ PDF outline of a conference poster, or link / qr code to accessible video and transcript of the poster presentation)

Adobe Creative Cloud and UDL

Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe CC) can be a powerful ally in implementing Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. UDL is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. Here's how Adobe CC can support UDL:

  • Multiple Means of Engagement: Adobe CC's diverse set of tools can help create interactive and engaging content that can be tailored to different learning styles and preferences, keeping students motivated and involved.
  • Multiple Means of Representation: With Adobe CC, educators can produce content in various formats such as videos, infographics, and interactive PDFs, allowing for different ways to present information and cater to diverse learners.
  • Multiple Means of Action and Expression: Students can use Adobe CC to express their understanding and knowledge in creative ways beyond traditional text-based assignments. They can make use of video editing, website creation, or graphic design to showcase their skills and learning.
  • Collaboration: Adobe CC facilitates collaboration among students and teachers, allowing for shared projects and feedback in real-time, which is essential for a UDL approach that values cooperative learning experiences.
  • Accessibility Features: Adobe CC includes features that enhance accessibility, such as adjustable text sizes, captioning tools, and color contrast settings, ensuring that materials are accessible to students with disabilities.

By integrating Adobe CC into the curriculum, educators can provide a more inclusive learning environment that supports the success of all students.

Sample Student Work in Adobe Creative Cloud

aub.ie/adobeaccessibility

Information curated for convenience by Dr. Chelsy Hooper; visit the Adobe Help Center for specific assistance

CREATED BY
Chelsy Hooper