508 compliant PDF Standards (Single vs Spreads)

[scottp4027864]

Are double-page spreads okay for a 508 compliant PDF or must it be single converted to single pages?

My 12 page brochure was created with indesign and some images that cross over the fold since it was designed to be printed as well as downloaded online.

I know without the spreads the PDF might look a bit odd in places, but is single pages standard for 508 compliant pdfs? Just can't find much information on this subject.

Thank you for any help on this subject.

[Dave__M]

It is the tagging and the reading order that is important, not the size or shape of the pages.  In fact, if a file is tagged properly, one can issue a Reflow command under the View>Zoom menu, and see the text streams without any design constraints at all... just a pure and simple flow of text in perfectly understood order.

My best,

Dave

[scottp4027864]

David,

Thank you so much for your quick and concise feedback. This really helps a
lot!

-Scott

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com]

There's a bit of confusing, cross-over, mis-interpretation in the above.

<Quote>It is the tagging and the reading order that is important, not the size or shape of the pages. </Quote>

Per the PDF/UA-1 standard, yes, this part is true. The Tag Tree and its TAG reading order (RO)are defined by the standard as the method all assistive technologies should recognize and use to present (or render) the content to the user.

<Quote>In fact, if a file is tagged properly, one can issue a Reflow command under the View>Zoom menu, and see the text streams without any design constraints at all... just a pure and simple flow of text in perfectly understood order.</Quote>

Acrobat's Reflow feature takes its reading order from the Order Panel, not the Tags Panel. Long ago in Acrobat's history, what we see in the Order Panel was originally called the architectural-construction order (and sometimes Z-order and content order) and it was the original method that assistive technologies used to access a PDF, before tags were standardized and added in Acrobat about 15 years ago.

That perfect utopia described above — where a correct Tag reading order will Reflow perfectly — can only happen if the source document was a simple MS Word.docx without any graphics, text boxes, and other elements that affect the architectural order. And if the source document was PowerPoint, Adobe InDesign, or another page-design program, there's little chance that Reflow will match the Tag RO at all.

Reflow uses the architectural order, not the Tag RO.

Essentially, there are 2 reading orders in a PDF: the Tag RO and the architectural RO. The PDF/UA standard only requires that the Tag RO be in a logical order, and that works just fine for screen readers and many other assistive technologies.

But legacy assistive technologies still use the architectural order, as do other PDF viewing technologies for the general population, mobile devices, eBook readers, and software that converts a PDF into some other file format.

Recommendation:

• Focus on making a logical RO for the Tag reading order in order to meet PDF/UA compliance.
• But if you want the best functionality for a PDF across all technologies and users, ensure that the architectural order is logical, too.

Note: Acrobat's Reflow tool is not a true assistive technology. It's helpful for some users, but does not contain all the features and user controls needed to be an AT, and it doesn't conform to PDF/UA-1.

[Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com · Accepted solution]

Back to the original question:

<Quote>Are double-page spreads okay for a 508 compliant PDF or must it be single converted to single pages?</Quote>

Keep in mind that accessibility is not just for those who are blind or use screen readers; it's for everyone with a disability or impairment that affects their use of digital media and digital documents. The issue about spreads is not specifically addressed by the PDF/UA-1 standard.

There are 2 ways a PDF can show spreads (left/right mirrored pages).

1. Use the PDF viewing options to show individual pages side-by-side. View / Page Display / Two Page View (and its options). This is controlled in Acrobat and whoever creates the PDF can set this as the default view in File / Properties / Initial View and then save the file.
   • Benefits: The view can also be changed by the individuial users to meet their needs, and the printed page numbers match those in the PDFs (see the PDF's thumbnails for an example).
2. Merge the 2-page spread into one page when the PDF is exported from its source file. This is common in InDesign which has the option to export spreads as individual pages or as spreads.
   • Benefit: for high-design items like magazines and advertising materials, this can retain the printed appearance, especially when graphics span 2 or more pages.
   • Drawbacks: Doesn't adjust well enough for all assistive technologies. Example, those using Zoom text will have a difficult time viewing the content across the spreads. Also, the PDF's digital page numbers don't match the printed page numbers. The first spread with pages 2 and 3 is called "page 2" in the PDF, the next spread of pages 4 and 5 is called "page 3," etc. That means when someone uses the "go to page 3" command to navigate in the PDF, they'll end up on the merged spread of pages 4 and 5. This produces a confusing error for those who have sight or cognitive disabilities.
   • Screen capture of the problem and accessibility failure:

Memrged pages (left/right spreads) cause accessibility problems. Printed pages 8 and 9 become PDF page 5.

Recommendation:

As an art director, I understand completely where your designers are coming from; they design for spreads in InDesign and want to maintain that visual appearance the final, accessible PDF. The solution:

1. Export as individual pages, NEVER as spreads. This will keep the PDF as accessible and flexible as possible for all assistive technologies and users.
2. Adjust the PDF in File / Properties / Initial View / Page layout to open the PDF as Two-Up (Cover Page). This will give the designers a "faux" spread that is still accessible.

Set "faux" spreads in PDF Properties.

The Result: individual pages for accessibility and faux spreads for visual appearance.

The result: faux spreads that are accessible.