Introduction
This post was created in response to questions shared by College of Education faculty before meeting on 4/8/2026.
If there are further questions beyond the meeting faculty can:
- Book an Accessibility Consultation
- Send an e-mail to t2access@umw.edu
Questions
Question 1: Is there a solution to support the “PDF is not tagged” problem? Converting to a Microsoft Word document also requires a paid Adobe Acrobat account and often distorts the document.
Answer 1: Yes! Panorama (our accessibility tool inside of Canvas) will allow you to auto tag a PDF. YuJa’s guide on resolving “The PDF Is Not Tagged” will walk you through the steps.
It is generally not advisable to convert PDFs back into Word, because as the questioner noted, it can distort the PDF.
Question 2: Would it be possible to provide a slide presentation (or directions page) on ways to make PDFs more accessible (with some common troubleshooting examples?)
Answer 2: PDFs are often the most challenging files to make accessible, and the best approach can vary widely depending on how a PDF was created. We recommending starting with the Accessible PDFs guide which covers:
- Considerations before you remediate a PDF
- Features of an accessible PDF
- Minimum expectations for PDFs (for now)
- Steps For Remediation in Panorama inside Canvas
We’ve also done a series of posts on the Updates & Tips blog around PDFs and the considerations that may be helpful in making a decision based on where the PDF originated:
- Understanding the Accessibility Barriers and Spectrum of PDFs
- Creating Accessible PDFs from Word
- Accessible Journal Articles & Book Chapters
- The Challenge of Scanned Image PDFs
Question 3: How do we access Adobe Acrobat Pro?
Answer 3: Adobe Acrobat Pro can be accessed on any computer in the Hurley Convergence Center as well as through our virtual computer lab, Apps Anywhere; however, it’s a more advanced tool when it comes to PDF remediation. For most faculty needs right now, Panorama is the better option for checking and addressing accessibility issues. If you need Acrobat Pro for other tasks individuals can purchase individual licenses through IT – contact the Help Desk to find out how.
Question 3: A big focus of the rollout/training has been on faculty and instruction to students and not staff requirements. Will there be continued opportunities for updates and trainings…or perhaps an FAQ or video page for how to handle certain tasks?
Answer 3: Although there have not been recent campus‑wide emails or general trainings, there has been targeted outreach to staff departments around compliance. Much of the work on the staff side focuses on ensuring that the platforms and systems they use are compliant, which often requires a different approach than instructional content. At the same time, we continue to develop strategies and workflows for creating accessible content. This summer, we are rolling out a Canvas course for staff that brings together accessibility resources from across campus in one place. The Title II Accessibility Team also continues its outreach and responds to staff questions as they arise. Staff questions can be sent to t2access@umw.edu.