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Make your pdf accessible

All pdf files published on CBH's web pages (both external and internal) must meet accessibility requirements, in accordance with the Digital Accessibility Act. There are two relatively simple ways to accomplish this.

The easiest way to follow the law is to have no pdfs on the web at all. Instead, convert your text into html, a regular page on the web. KTH recommends this approach in the first place. You can turn to the communications unit at CBH ( kommunikation@cbh.kth.se ) for assistance in putting up pages on the web.

Read more about how to publish on the web

If there is no choice but to have a pdf then it must be made accessible. That responsibility lies with you who publish. This is how you do it.

Templates and graphic profile

KTH's intranet contains Word templates for most types of texts and documents. If you start from these when writing, for example, minutes or meeting notes, it is easier to create accessible and easy-to-read pdfs.

Templates to download

Accessible layout

First of all, you should have an easy-to-read and accessible layout.

  • Make sure there is sufficient contrast in: text against background, images and elements with color, such as tables and charts.
  • Have at least 12 points on the body font.
  • Have a maximum line length of 60 characters.
  • Have a table of contents.
  • Only use tables for table layouts, not for text formatting.

KTH's graphic profile

Correct format

Then you must make sure to format all elements correctly.

  • Headers should use the program's (Word or Adobe) heading format instead of just being bold or of increased size.
  • All headings should be in the correct heading level, ie from KTH Title to KTH Heading 4. Even the small headings far down the text should have headline format. The headings must also be used in the correct order - subheading of heading 1 must therefore be heading 2.
  • Always use formats for lists, never any hyphens or stars.
  • Use Word's own list of contents that becomes clickable and linked.
  • Format headings in tables as table headers.
  • Enter a summary of tables and charts.
  • Add alt text to images and charts.