Document Accessibility for Theses and Dissertations

For work created in Word and converted to PDF, the thesis will be checked using Adobe Acrobat’s accessibility checker.

In order to pass an accessibility check, your final PDF document must include the following elements:

• Document title must be present.
• Document language must be set.
• Document structure must be set using Word styles pane.
• Document reading order must be logical (i.e., the sequence in which content is presented by screen readers must ensure that meaning is preserved).
  • In PDFs, the reading order can be checked by using the Reading Order Panel (open by clicking on the image on the right side that looks like a “Z”). When no other accessibility failures are present, the most common issue that arises with reading order is that image tags will appear at the bottom of a page rather than where they actually appear in the page sequence. Dragging and dropping the tag in the reading order panel will fix this issue.
• Space between paragraphs should be set using Word’s Layout tab or Format>Paragraph. Do not use returns to create spaces between paragraphs.
  • To make this process easier in the creation of your title page, please download the UIC thesis title page template. You will need to insert a page break immediately after your committee list in order to begin adding the rest of your thesis.
• All figures must include descriptive alternative text offering a full explanation of the figure.
• Lists must be created using Word’s built-in features.
• Columns must be created using Word’s built-in features.
• Tables should have a simple structure, clear title or description, and specified header rows.
• Table of Contents should be created using Word’s built-in features.
• All text and informative figures (e.g., charts and graphs) must pass a color-contrast check (a ratio of 4:5:1 or higher must be achieved for text; 3:1 or higher must be achieved for figures).
  • For figures, please avoid using color alone to convey meaning. For example, a line graph should use different styles (e.g., dotted, dashed, solid) as well as colors to differentiate.
  • If complex figures cannot achieve the required ratio, a long description must be added directly before or after the figure or in an appendix to the dissertation. See the Complex Images link below for more information.

If remediating any accessibility issues directly in the PDF version of your work, please check your file very carefully for any potential formatting issues before spending time on remediation. Remediation should be a final step and will need to be repeated if any additional formatting errors are found upon resubmission.

Please use the below links to help you create accessible Word documents and convert them to accessible PDF’s.

• Creating an Accessible MS Word Document
• Microsoft Word Accessibility Checklist
• Converting a Word Document to an Accessible PDF
• PDF Accessibility Checklist
• Accessibility Guidance by Topic
• UIC Title Page Template
• W3C Complex Images Tutorial

For work created using LaTeX, please use the new, accessible UIC LaTeX template**, created by UIC MSCS professor Julius Ross. This template is available at the GitHub link below. Please do not use the older template as it will create inaccessible source documents, and you will be required to remediate your submitted work so that it meets accessibility requirements.

Theses and dissertations created in LaTeX must be converted to both PDF and ePub formats. The ePub format will be checked for accessibility using the Ace by DAISY app. Please see the directions at the GitHub link above for information on converting to each format.

In order to pass an accessibility check, your ePub document must show a total of zero (0) violations on all WCAG 2.0 lines and on the WCAG 2.1 A and AA lines in the Ace by DAISY Report Summary. If any violations arise, please check them using the Violations tab in the report and make sure they are remediated before submitting your work to UIC’s electronic thesis and dissertation (ETD) system.

Additionally, all text and informative figures (e.g., charts and graphs) must pass a color-contrast check (a ratio of 4:5:1 or higher must be achieved for text; 3:1 or higher must be achieved for figures). For figures, please avoid using color alone to convey meaning. For example, a line graph should use different styles (e.g., dotted, dashed, solid) as well as colors to differentiate. If complex figures cannot achieve the required ratio, a long description must be added directly before or after the figure or in an appendix to the dissertation. See the Complex Images link below for more information.

When submitting work created using LaTeX to the UIC ETD system, you will need to submit a PDF document as the primary file and an ePub as a supplemental file. Both documents must be submitted, and your ePub must pass the Ace by DAISY accessibility check, in order for your submission to be approved.

**Please note that this template appears to place the required Vita in the incorrect order in the text. Please be sure that your Vita is the final item in both the PDF and ePub versions of your thesis.

• Accessible LaTeX Thesis Template (GitHub)
• Ace by DAISY App
• W3C Complex Images Tutorial

Any work that fails an accessibility check will be sent back to the author for remediation. In order to have your submission approved, your work must pass the accessibility check. To prevent the need to remediate accessibility issues, please prepare accessible source documents and use accessibility checkers on your own final documents to ensure they will pass.

Students who do not have access to a version of Adobe Acrobat that includes an accessibility checker, may use UIC’s Virtual Computer Lab or may make an appointment to use the computer in University Hall (UH) 613 during its open hours.

Students who do not have access to Ace by DAISY may make an appointment to use the computer in UH 613 during its open hours. To make an appointment to use the computer in UH 613, please use Microsoft Bookings. UH 613 is available to be booked on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays between 10am and 3pm. One-hour appointments can be booked at the Microsoft Bookings link above.

For questions about these resources and requirements, please contact UIC’s Thesis and Dissertation Specialist, Boyd Bellinger (larnhe2@uic.edu).

• UIC Virtual Computer Lab
• UH 613 Bookings Reservation Form