PDFs are among the most frequently used file types in higher education—appearing in course readings, syllabi, lecture notes, and assignment instructions. However, they are also one of the most challenging formats to make accessible. This creates barriers for students and compliance risks for institutions, particularly as new federal accessibility requirements take effect.

Why Accessible PDFs Matter

The U.S. Department of Justice’s updated Title II regulations now require all public institutions to meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards by 2026. Because PDFs are so common and often non-compliant, they represent a significant accessibility and legal concern.

Inaccessible PDFs can create real challenges for students. Those who are blind or have low vision may find that screen readers cannot interpret untagged or improperly formatted documents. Students with learning differences can struggle to navigate files lacking headings or consistent structure. Even for students without disabilities, accessible design—such as clear document hierarchy, alt text, and searchable text—enhances usability, comprehension, and engagement.

Accessible PDFs support equitable learning by allowing students to focus on content rather than format. When barriers are removed, students can engage more deeply with material, stay on pace with coursework, and build confidence in their learning.

Addressing the Challenge at NIU

At Northern Illinois University, all faculty and staff have access to Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes Acrobat Pro, a powerful tool for checking and fixing accessibility issues in PDFs. However, despite its robust capabilities, Acrobat Pro has a steep learning curve and requires time, training, and practice to use effectively. Many faculty members are willing to make accessibility improvements but find the technical steps confusing or difficult to integrate into their normal teaching workflow.

That’s where new tools like Anthology Ally can help bridge the gap.

Making Accessibility Simpler with Anthology Ally

Anthology Ally’s PDF Quick Fixes feature allows instructors to identify and repair accessibility issues directly within Blackboard without leaving the course environment or mastering complex software. When Ally detects a problem—such as missing titles, language settings, or untagged text—it provides clear, guided steps for making the correction immediately inside Blackboard.

Unlike standalone software, Ally is designed to meet faculty where they already are. The feature is included in the university’s existing Ally license, requiring no additional cost, license, or training. By integrating accessibility improvements into everyday teaching routines, Ally lowers barriers to participation and empowers instructors to make real progress toward inclusive course design.

Early Results Demonstrate Real Impact

Even in its early rollout, Ally’s PDF Quick Fixes have shown measurable impact across U.S. institutions. Within the first week of release, usage data revealed dramatic increases in the number of fixes applied to common accessibility issues:

• Missing Title fixes: up 491%
• Missing Language fixes: up 345%
• OCR Scanned PDF fixes: up 576%

These early gains highlight a key insight: when accessibility improvements are built into familiar workflows and supported by user-friendly tools, adoption happens quickly and at scale.

Building Toward Title II Readiness

For institutional leaders, this progress offers an encouraging path forward. With the 2026 Title II deadline approaching, integrating tools like Ally alongside existing resources such as Adobe Acrobat Pro enables NIU to make consistent, measurable improvements without overwhelming faculty or IT staff.

Each small correction—whether done in Acrobat or through Ally—moves NIU closer to full compliance and reflects our commitment to equitable access. Accessible materials not only reduce institutional risk but also strengthen student success and engagement across the board.

From Individual Action to Institutional Change

When accessibility tools are easy to use and readily available, individual instructor efforts multiply into large-scale institutional change. A single faculty member correcting document tags or adding alt text contributes to thousands of more accessible course files over time.

At NIU, combining the power of Adobe Acrobat Pro with the simplicity of Ally’s PDF Quick Fixes creates a comprehensive approach to accessibility—balancing flexibility for advanced users with guidance for those new to remediation. These tools support both our compliance goals and our shared mission of creating an inclusive, accessible learning environment for all Huskies.

Questions or need help with document accessibility or using Ally? Reach out to CITL!