Making interactive PDF accessible?

[kristenthernandez]

I am working with an instructor to see what we can do to make her interactive PDFs accessible. She recorded them using LIveScribe -Pencast PDF. I have reached out to LiveScribe and I haven't received a response. I am hoping I can find some way to help her so she doesn't have to record them again. The students like the interactive approach to the pdf in which they can choose specific areas to focus on in the recording. I know I could screencast each video and make chapters, but that would take a lot of work. I am willing to do that, but if there is an easier way I would rather take that route.

Any feedback you can provide will be so helpful.

Thank you,

Kristen Hernandez

[hammer0909]

I can't speak to the LiveScribe application, however it sounds like your dropping video into a PDF. This can be made accessible provided all of the elements are properly tagged. If LiveScribe doesn't do this for you, you'll need to tag the elements in Adobe Acrobat Pro. When you use video for accessibility, you need to describe everything that is being done in the video either directly or using voiceover in the video.

[Dave__M · Accepted solution]

In very general terms, an interactive PDF would likely be constructed with layers of interactivity over the artwork.  Generally, those layers would likely not be accessible, as things like comments (who live on their own layer above the artwork) are not accessible without beling flattened into the artwork..  A screen reader would trip over the layered entities. 

Like Chad (above), I am unfamiliar with LiveScribe, and they would be best at answering your question.  I do hope they ultimately respond.  If my research uncovers anything, I'll post.

Good luck.

My best,

Dave