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Avoiding PDF Problems

Avoiding PDF Problems

PDFs and flyers may seem convenient, but they often create major accessibility barriers.

Many PDFs are not readable by screen readers or mobile devices, and they don’t adapt well to different screen sizes. They also do not automatically translate to other languages. Even when they are technically “accessible,” PDFs can still be frustrating for users with disabilities—and time-consuming to create and maintain.

For that reason, our district no longer shares PDFs on public websites, in newsletters, or on social media. But don't worry, there are alternatives!

A cartoon illustration of a worksheet with a stack of books, a globe, and a science beaker against a solid blue background.

Why PDFs and flyers Are Problematic

  • Most PDFs are not accessible. Scanned images of flyers or documents with no selectable text are completely unreadable by screen readers.
  • PDFs don’t reflow well. They often require zooming or scrolling side-to-side on phones or tablets.
  • Creating an accessible PDF is time-consuming. You must tag headings, images, reading order, tables, and more.
  • Screen readers struggle with PDFs. Even “accessible” PDFs can behave inconsistently.
  • They are not easy to update. If the content changes, you have to recreate and re-upload the file.

The Accessible Alternative: A Simple Image + Plain Text Description

What we do not share online
This is an example of a flyer created for a district event. It has all the information someone needs on it, but if a person needs a screen reader or for it to be translated, they are out of luck. It's also hard to read on a cell phone because some of the text is very small. A flyer like this is great if you are printing it out and handing it to someone or hanging it up, but it will not work online. 

Example

A flyer for a FAFSA Support Night on Tuesday, March 25th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the NCKPS Central Office.

What to do instead
Create an attention grabbing graphic with a few words and then write out the information in plain text. This is perfect for social media, newsletters, emails, and websites!

Example

A promotional graphic for FAFSA Support Night with bold orange text on a white background and blue accents.

FAFSA Support Night

Tuesday, March 25th

  • 5:00pm-7:00pm
  • KCKPS Central Office
  • 2010 N. 59th St., KCK
  • Dinner is provided

Come Prepared! For the FAFSA you’ll need:

  • Social Security Number
  • Alien Registration Number (if you are a permanent resident)
  • Parents and Student (if applicable) 2023 Tax information (ex. Form 1040 & copy of W2s)
  • Laptop

Register Here for the FAFSA Support Night
(this link is no longer active as the event has passed)

For more information, see your College & Career Coordinator in the Student Success Center.

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