{"id":119,"date":"2026-06-19T09:42:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T13:42:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.web.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/?page_id=119"},"modified":"2026-07-06T20:41:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T00:41:02","slug":"pdf-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/pdf-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"PDF Alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover fb-cover-text-box wp-duotone-black-and-white\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;min-height:100%;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-content\/themes\/flintblock\/assets\/images\/sidewalk-art.jpg\" style=\"object-position:50% 95%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"50% 95%\"\/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-90 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient has-blue-gradient-gradient-background\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-15d3db16 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-brand-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-xx-large-font-size wp-elements-0953d9bdc0efebf3bf329998ae888781\">PDF Alternatives<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><nav class=\"is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-bd946717 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Sidebar Navigation\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M4 7.5h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><path d=\"M4 15h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container\"  id=\"modal-2\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--has-modal-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-class--is-menu-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\"\n\t\t\t\ttabindex=\"-1\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-dialog\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"state.ariaModal\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.ariaLabel\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--role=\"state.roleAttribute\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Close menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-close\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.closeMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"m13.06 12 6.47-6.47-1.06-1.06L12 10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\"\n\t\t\t id=\"modal-2-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Home<\/span><\/a><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null, &quot;previousFocus&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/resources\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Campus Resources<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"Campus Resources submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/resources\/grackle\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Grackle<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/resources\/panorama\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Panorama<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/resources\/syllabus-template\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Syllabus Template<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/meeting-minutes-templates\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Meeting Minutes Templates<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/guides\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Best Practices Guides<\/span><\/a><\/li><li data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;submenuOpenedBy&quot;: { &quot;click&quot;: false, &quot;hover&quot;: false, &quot;focus&quot;: false }, &quot;type&quot;: &quot;submenu&quot;, &quot;modal&quot;: null, &quot;previousFocus&quot;: null }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Rethinking PDFs<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"Rethinking PDFs submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/shortcomings-and-frustrations-of-pdfs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Shortcomings and Frustrations of PDFs<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/myths-and-paths-forward\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Myths and Paths Forward<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/sharing-read-only-files\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Sharing Read-Only Files<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/converting-a-pdf-to-word\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Converting a PDF to Word<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/rethinking-pdfs\/pdf-alternatives\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">PDF Alternatives<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/email-archive\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Email Communications<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/spg.umich.edu\/policy\/601.20\" target=\"_blank\"  ><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Accessibility Standard Practice Guide (SPG)<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Faculty often reach for PDFs out of habit, but there are more accessible and flexible options available. The table below highlights common situations where PDFs are used and suggests better alternatives that are easier to update, more intuitive for students, and built with accessibility in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Use Case<\/th><th>Best Practice<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Syllabi Management<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Share as a read-only Google Doc\/Word 365 link. Post in the Canvas Syllabus tool or create Canvas pages (e.g., one for course info, one for schedule, one for policies). Add a short video walking students through the syllabus.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Research and Journal Articles<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Rather than upload a PDF of the research to your course, use permalinks to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/libguides.umflint.edu\/library\">library databases<\/a>&nbsp;and resources. These often include ADA-compliant formats, built-in screen readers, and citation tools. Utilize the Libraries\u2019&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/libguides.umflint.edu\/canvas\/texts\">guide to creating persistent and proxied links<\/a>&nbsp;to ensure your links are set up correctly in your course.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Handwritten Notes<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Save as an image and use&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1Gd3IiOFtmKrqXSkbFzEHK6avmdYwQxUMlApUU7JzFy0\/edit?usp=sharing\">Wolverine Describer<\/a>&nbsp;to create descriptive text. Optionally create a Canvas page with the image and text together.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Lecture Slides<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Share through Google Slides or PowerPoint 365 in view-only mode. Run&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/office\/use-immersive-reader-in-powerpoint-1d205463-4145-4952-958e-0e823af3bb7b\">accessibility<\/a>&nbsp;checks with Grackle (Google) or Microsoft\u2019s built-in checker.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Course Handouts<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">For short handouts, post as a Canvas page. For longer ones, share as read-only Google Docs or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/office\/use-immersive-reader-in-word-a857949f-c91e-4c97-977c-a4efcaf9b3c1\">Word 365<\/a>&nbsp;files.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Forms and Worksheets<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Use Google Forms or Microsoft Forms to create fillable, accessible forms that collect responses automatically.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Publisher\/Third-Party Course Packs<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Look for accessible versions like OpenStax or library-licensed HTML\/ePub versions. When available, share direct permalinks to the web versions so students benefit from the vendor\u2019s accessibility tools.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Signed Forms and Official Records<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">Share the official PDF only when authenticity is required. Provide the key content (instructions, policies, details) in Canvas or as read-only Google Docs\/Word 365 for accessibility.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Grant or Accreditation Requirements<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\">If a PDF is required for submission, provide it to the agency. For internal and student use, share the same content in Google Docs or Word 365 for easier access and updates.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Faculty often reach for PDFs out of habit, but there are more accessible and flexible options available. The table below highlights common situations where PDFs are used and suggests better alternatives that are easier to update, more intuitive for students, and built with accessibility in mind. Use Case Best Practice Syllabi Management Share as a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"parent":26,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-119","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/119\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":986,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/119\/revisions\/986"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/26"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/accessibility\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}