A different approach to accessibility, i.e. WCAG in full-text documents – working with files

Abstract

Polish Platform of Medical Research provides open access to scientific resources, including full text publications, PhD theses and other repository documents. One of the assumptions behind the project was to adapt all files posted on the platform to the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to reach a wide audience, including people with disabilities. To implement that assumption, we had to restructure all files, describe their headings, and meet several other requirements laid down in the WCAG. Each file had to be adjusted separately before uploading it to the platform, which was often challenging and time-consuming. The article outlines the principles for tagging PDF files to convert them in line with the WCAG.