A Space for Thoughtful 
About the Client
A U.S.-based literacy education provider and academic publisher focused on advancing reading proficiency through research-driven curriculum, professional learning, and embedded assessment solutions. With decades of leadership in the science of reading, the organization supports educators and school districts by delivering evidence-based literacy programs that improve student outcomes and promote equitable access to learning.
Key Challenges
The organization encountered multiple challenges while attempting to ensure accessibility compliance across a large repository of digital learning materials:
- Non-Accessible PDF Content – A large volume of PDF files lacked tagging and structural elements required for accessibility compliance.
- Unstructured Content and Reading Order Issues – Documents required manual restructuring to establish logical reading order for assistive technology users.
- Complex Tables and Lists – Nested tables and lists required manual corrections to ensure meaningful navigation and comprehension.
- Missing Alternative Text for Images – Essential images lacked descriptive alt text, limiting accessibility for screen reader users.
- Non-Interactive Forms – Static forms required conversion into accessible, fillable formats with proper labeling and keyboard navigation.
- Custom Tagging Requirements – Tailored tagging structures were needed to support the client’s ingestion workflows and reader compatibility.
Solutions We Offered
To address these challenges, a large-scale accessibility remediation initiative was implemented to ensure compliance with accessibility standards and improve usability for all learners.
- Large-Scale PDF Remediation – A dedicated accessibility team processed thousands of pages, applying structured remediation workflows to ensure documents met accessibility compliance standards.
- Manual Structuring and Semantic Tagging – Each document was manually tagged to establish logical reading order, ensuring headings, paragraphs, tables, and lists were correctly structured for assistive technologies.
- Accessibility Enhancements for Tables and Lists – Complex tables and nested lists were reviewed and corrected to ensure clear navigation and meaningful reading flow.
- Alt Text Authoring for Images – Essential images were provided with concise, context-aware alternative text to ensure content was perceivable to users relying on assistive technologies.
- Accessible and Fillable Forms – Static forms were converted into fully accessible, interactive forms with labeled fields and logical tab order to support keyboard navigation.
- Quality Assurance and Assistive Technology Testing – Each file underwent rigorous QA checks, including screen reader testing (e.g., NVDA, JAWS, and Acrobat’s Accessibility Checker), and accessibility validation tools ensured compliance and usability for individuals with disabilities.
Results We Delivered
- Achieved 100% accessibility compliance by remediating all 11,100 PDF files to meet Section 508 and WCAG 2.0 AA standards, ensuring legal compliance and inclusive access for all users.
- Improved the experience for assistive technology users by enabling seamless navigation through accurate tagging, logical reading order, and descriptive alternative text.
- Made all interactive PDF forms fully accessible and functional by ensuring keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility, improving usability and submission accuracy.
- Enhanced document structure and readability by transforming unstructured files into well-organized, semantically meaningful content that is easier for all users to consume.
- Ensured client satisfaction by implementing a scalable remediation workflow that supported high-volume processing, timely delivery, and consistent communication.
- Promoted digital inclusion by making a large repository of content accessible to individuals with visual, cognitive, and motor impairments.
Client Testimonial
The team delivered an exceptional accessibility remediation solution on a scale. Converting more than 11,000 pages of untagged PDFs into fully accessible, well-structured documents was a significant challenge, and they handled it with precision and expertise.