Section 508 Compliance: Quick Start Guide

Alaska Sea Grant is committed to digital accessibility. We work to ensure that websites, documents, videos, online courses, and other digital materials are accessible to everyone — including people with disabilities.

All publications must be Section 508 Compliant upon submission to Alaska Sea Grant. Non-compliant documents will be returned for corrections. Peer-reviewed journal articles will be accepted in their final published form.

To create a PDF that complies with 508 accessibility standards for web use, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure Tagged Content: Utilize tagged PDFs to provide structural information. Auto-tagging features are acceptable, but ensure accuracy. Tags enable screen readers to navigate content effectively. (List of Standard PDF tags from Adobe.)
  2. Include Bookmarks: Add bookmarks to documents exceeding 20 pages to outline the document's structure. If a Table of Contents exists, ensure bookmarks reflect its layout. Bookmarks enhance navigation for users with disabilities.
  3. Provide Alternative Text: Add descriptive alternative text (alt text) to all visual elements such as images, charts, and graphs. Alt text enables users with visual impairments to understand visual content through screen reader software.
  4. Maintain Logical Reading Order: Arrange content in a logical reading order that follows the flow of the document. Logical reading order ensures that screen readers present content in a meaningful sequence, enhancing comprehension.
  5. Complete Document Properties: Fill in document properties such as title and language. Document properties improve searchability and provide essential information about the PDF.
  6. Run accessibility check tool in Adobe Acrobat or Foxit: This will provide step-by-step instructions for resolving accessibility errors.

Section 508 Resources and Tips

Resources

NOAA Central Library Section 508 YouTube Playlist and a more digestible version: These series of videos provides an introduction to basic PDF editing for accessibility including how to fix common errors such as:

  • adding bookmarks
  • fixing element tags
  • updating document properties
  • adding alternative text
  • correcting tab and reading order.

University of Alaska Accessibility website is a helpful resource for guidance.

UAF-NTS Web and Digital Accessibility

Website Accessibility Initiative

Web Accessibility Evaluation (WAVE)

Section 508.gov (for documents)

Microsoft document accessibility tips

Alternative text tips

  • Describe the essential information and purpose of the image.
  • Be clear and concise (usually one sentence).
  • Focus on what’s important, not every detail.
  • Avoid phrases like “image of” or “picture of.”
  • Mark decorative images as "decorative (no alt text needed)."

Colors

Color contrast between foreground elements (such as text or graphics) and the background should be sufficient (at least a 4.5:1 ratio). Free tools like WebAIM and Colour Contrast Analyser can help you evaluate and adjust the colors in your document or webpage.

Fonts

  • Use readable fonts
  • Minimum 12-point size for body text
  • Avoid decorative or script fonts (e.g., Comic Sans, Brush Script)
  • Maintain high contrast between text and background
  • Use consistent spacing and line height
  • Avoid ALL CAPS for large blocks of text

Best font choices

  • Sans-serif fonts (clean, modern, easy to read on screen):
  • Arial
  • Calibri
  • Helvetica
  • Verdana
  • Tahoma
  • Trebuchet MS

Accessible serif fonts (less common, but acceptable for print):

  • Georgia
  • Times New Roman (use with caution; smaller sizes can be hard to read)

Tables

  • Use simple tables with clearly marked header rows.
  • Do not merge cells or nest tables.
  • Use tables only for presenting data, not for layout or formatting.
  • Avoid empty cells or merged cells.

Writing Accessible Links

Use meaningful, descriptive link text that clearly explains the destination. Avoid generic phrases like “click here.”

Example: Workshops supported by the Alaska Sea Grant FishBiz team cover skills that support robust careers in Alaska’s fishing industry. Programs include the AK On-Board Crew Class, Alaska Young Fishermen’s Summit, Business of Fishing workshops, direct seafood marketing courses, and AMSEA safety courses.

Contact

For questions, contact Dawn Montano, Alaska Sea Grant publications manager at dawn.montano@alaska.edu or 907-474-6707.