Environmental Review Program

1. A PDF is considered not ADA compliant if it lacks features like searchable text, proper tagging, alt text for images, logical reading order, bookmarks for navigation, and correctly structured tables, essentially making it difficult for users with assistive technologies like screen readers to access and understand the information within the document.
2. Be sure to add the Make Accessible tool to Adobe Acrobat. The Make Accessible action tool in Adobe Acrobat Pro assists in reformatting a document for accessibility.
3. For tips on creating accessible files, please see Section508.gov.
4. Before converting a Word or Excel document to PDF, use the Check Accessibility feature.  Fix any errors. Save as PDF (do not use print to pdf.)
5. For PDF files, run Make Accessible.  With Accessibility Checker, fix any errors. (Search for the error.)
6. No fix for Logical Reading Order or Color Content errors. It will always be there.

To convert a Word document to an accessible PDF, ensure accessibility features are applied in Word, run the Accessibility Checker, and then save as PDF with “Document structure tags for accessibility” checked.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

1. Ensure Accessibility in Word:

• Run the Accessibility Checker:

Before saving as PDF, use the Accessibility Checker in Word (File > Info > Check for Issues > Check Accessibility) to identify and fix any accessibility issues.

• Apply Accessibility Features:

• 1. Metadata: Ensure the document has a title, author, and other relevant metadata.
  2. Heading Hierarchy: Use headings (H1, H2, etc.) in the correct order for proper structure.
  3. Lists: Use ordered and unordered lists correctly.
  4. Images: Add alt text to all images.
  5. Color Contrast: Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors.
  6. Logical Reading Order: Ensure the document flows logically.

• Check for Issues:

Use the “Check for Issues” feature in Word to identify and fix accessibility problems

2. Save as PDF:

• Select “Save As” or “Save a Copy”: Go to File > Save As (or File > Save a Copy).
• Choose PDF Format: In the Save As dialog box, change the “Save as type” to PDF (*.pdf).
• Select Options: Click the “Options” button.
• Check “Document structure tags for accessibility”: Check the box next to “Document structure tags for accessibility” to ensure the PDF retains the document’s structure.
• Save the PDF: Click “OK” and then save the file.

3. Check Accessibility in Adobe Acrobat Pro (Optional):

• Open the PDF in Acrobat Pro: Open the newly created PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Run the Accessibility Checker: Go to Tools > Accessibility > Accessibility Check and click “Start Checking”.
• Fix any Remaining Issues: Review the Accessibility Checker results and fix any remaining issues.
• Review Tagged PDF: Use the Tags panel in Acrobat Pro to ensure the document structure is correct.

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Inaccessible technology interferes with an individual’s ability to obtain and use information quickly and easily. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals.

This standard was recently refreshed to include Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), a globally recognized voluntary consensus standard for web content and information communication technology created by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The WCAG 2.0 Level AA standard and the Web Accessibility Initiative Accessible Rich Internet Applications Suite (WAI-ARIA) 1.0 techniques for web content, shall be used to measure accessibility and functionality of on-line content. Environmental Review Program looks to this standard for reliable guidance on meeting accessibility commitments and compliance for portal architecture sites.

Our site contains information from the 1970’s to the present.  We are continuing the process of scanning our legacy data files for posting on our website, while requiring all new filings to be in an electronic format.  Not all of the files are ADA accessible at this point in time.  We will continue to work with applicants on providing new filings that will be compliant with ADA standards, while working to bring our legacy files into future compliance.

This site has been designed to be compatible with a wide variety of browsers, and with assistive technologies in mind. Our goal is to continue to work to make access available to all individuals. Improving access to citizens with disabilities is one of our top priorities, and any suggestions or comments are welcome.

Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes §368-1.5: The ADA and the ADAAA are federal civil rights statutes that require state and local governments, including the court system, to accommodate the needs of qualified individuals with disabilities.