PSO & You: Forward, Focused, and Ready

Digital Accessibility 101: Word and PDF Documents

Professional Development Session 2

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Digital accessibility means designing websites, documents, and other digital content to provide equal access, regardless of ability or circumstance. This includes all documents, including PowerPoint, Word, and PDF, that are shared outside of UGA via email or other means. The University of Georgia is required to be compliant with federal accessibility requirements by April 2027.

This hands-on session will teach you how to create accessible and well-designed Word and PDF documents. Please bring a laptop if you want to practice with your own documents.

Learning outcomes:

  1. Learn what digital accessibility is and why it is important
  2. Understand UGA’s federal accessibility requirements and the April 2027 compliance deadline
  3. Start with accessible templates and good document structure in Word
  4. Use built-in accessibility checks before sharing or converting documents
  5. Convert Word documents to PDF in a way that preserves accessibility
  6. Review and remediate PDFs using Equidox or other available tools
  7. Know when to use UGA/PSO accessibility resources or request additional support

Speakers:

Cody Bishop headshot

Cody Bishop, Digital Accessibility Specialist, Enterprise Information Technology Services (EITS), Digital Accessibility Services Hub (DASH)

Bishop serves as a Digital Accessibility Specialist with Enterprise Information Technology Services (EITS), supporting Digital Accessibility Services and Help (DASH). In this role, he works with campus partners to improve the accessibility and usability of digital content, documents, websites, learning materials, and technology platforms. Bishop’s work focuses on practical, sustainable approaches to digital accessibility, including accessibility standards, inclusive design practices, document accessibility, instructional materials, and emerging technologies. He brings more than seven years of experience in special education, along with experience in e-learning, instructional design, and educational technology. His professional background reflects a commitment to creating digital environments that are usable, equitable, and welcoming for all people. Bishop is especially interested in helping faculty, staff, and campus teams understand accessibility not only as a compliance requirement, but as an essential part of effective communication, teaching, and service.

Shanna Montgomery headshot

Shannah Montgomery, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach

Montgomery is the senior director of marketing and communications for Public Service and Outreach. In this role, she develops communications strategies to connect and inform internal and external stakeholders on programs, projects and initiatives connected to the eight PSO units. She also supports the network of communicators across PSO and collaborates with the division of marketing and communications to promote UGA’s land-grant mission to serve the state. Montgomery joined PSO in 2015 and is a graduate of the Vivian H. Fisher Leadership Academy. She holds a doctorate in organizational leadership and a master’s degree in mass communication from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati.

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