Edlio Accessible Documents improves digital accessibility for schools and districts ahead of upcoming ADA Title II deadlines. Rather than requiring staff to manually tag, edit, or re-upload hundreds of existing files, Accessible Documents automatically converts every website PDF into an accessible, responsive HTML web page when clicked by visitors — and now automatically remediates the source PDF file as well.
⚡ Automatic HTML Overlay & Built-In PDF Remediation: Accessible Documents delivers a dual-layer accessibility solution. First, every website PDF is automatically converted into an accessible, mobile-responsive HTML web version. Second, built-in PDF Remediation automatically reviews and repairs the PDF file itself — tagging elements, structuring headings, embedding fonts, and marking language passages without requiring any manual setup or third-party tools.
⚠️ Important note on embedded PDFs & File Page Blocks: Accessible Documents automatically applies the accessible overlay to all standard PDF links across your site. However, the overlay does not fix un-remediated PDFs that are displayed directly on a page via the embed function in File Page Blocks. Inline embedded PDF viewers remain inaccessible to assistive technology and screen readers until visitors click the underlying file name hyperlink to launch the accessible HTML overlay. To ensure full digital accessibility compliance across your website, we strongly recommend linking directly to PDF file names or using standard File Page Block download links rather than embedding raw visual PDF windows directly on your pages.
Video walkthrough: Accessible Documents overview
Key takeaways from the video
Proactive ADA Title II compliance: Delivers automated digital document accessibility ahead of federal deadlines without requiring staff to manually re-tag or re-upload files.
Instant HTML conversion: Every website PDF is automatically converted into an accessible, mobile-responsive HTML web page when opened by visitors, while preserving the original static PDF as a print-friendly copy.
Built-in automatic PDF remediation: The underlying PDF file is automatically reviewed, repaired, and tagged during conversion, generating a compliant remediated PDF directly available in the overlay.
Customizable reader controls: Provides visitors with customizable reading themes (font size, contrast, typography), native screen reader compatibility, and automated multilingual translation.
Document engagement analytics: Administrators can monitor total detected site documents, active live overlays, and visitor engagement opens directly from the dashboard.
Step-by-step procedural guides: Jump directly to Built-in PDF Remediation & Accessibility Reports, The Accessible Documents Dashboard, The Visitor Overlay Experience, Using Accessible Documents on External Websites, or Uploading PDFs for Outbound Messaging.
Built-in PDF remediation & accessibility reports
PDF Remediation is natively integrated into Accessible Documents. There is no separate tool to launch, configure, or toggle on — remediation happens automatically behind the scenes whenever a PDF is converted into accessible HTML.
What happens automatically
Automatic structural review: When a PDF is processed, the system automatically inspects document structure, reading order, headings, language tags, and font definitions.
Remediated PDF in the overlay: The remediated, accessible version of the PDF is served directly in the Accessible Documents overlay when visitors view or download the file.
Plain-language Accessibility Report: Every processed document receives a dedicated Accessibility Report breaking down exact fixes and technical standards compliance.
Understanding the accessibility report
Staff can open any document's Accessibility Report directly from the Accessible Documents dashboard. The report features two specialized views:
“What we fixed” Tab: A clear, plain-language summary of accessibility improvements applied to the document, including:
Document tagging: Adds structural tags so screen readers can navigate tables, paragraphs, and sections properly.
Title and language attributes: Sets document metadata and primary language for assistive software.
Heading hierarchy: Establishes H1/H2/H3 heading structures so users can jump between sections.
Embedded fonts: Embeds required font sets so text renders and reads identically across all devices and platforms.
Language passage tagging: Identifies and tags sections written in another language, prompting screen readers to switch voice synthesizers automatically.
Document bookmarks: Generates interactive bookmarks corresponding to document sections.
“WCAG” Tab: A technical audit detailing pass/fail compliance against specific WCAG 2.2 and PDF/UA success criteria.
Reviewing and adjusting reading order
For complex multi-column documents (such as board agendas, newsletters, or tri-fold brochures), staff can optionally review and adjust how screen readers traverse columns:
In the Accessible Documents dashboard, select Review fixed PDF for the document.
Select the Reading order card in the right-hand panel.
Choose the appropriate reading path for the layout:
Down the left column, then the right: Best for standard two-column articles, agendas, and side-by-side content where each column should be read from top to bottom before moving to the next.
Straight across, left to right: Best for comparison tables, tabular lists, or linear rows that span across columns.
The numbered badges on the document preview update in real time to show the exact sequence assistive technology will follow. Click Using this order to confirm.
Staff can click Download remediated PDF to archive the fixed file locally, or choose Use your original file instead if they wish to bypass remediation for that specific document.
💡 Best-Practice Adoption Tips: You do not need to manually review every document. Built-in remediation handles common single-column school documents, flyers, and policies automatically. Reserve manual reading order review for complex multi-column documents like board meeting agendas with side-by-side officer rosters to ensure assistive technologies announce names and agenda items in the logical sequence your community expects.
The Accessible Documents dashboard
To open your Accessible Documents dashboard in the Edlio CMS:
From the main navigation or hamburger menu, select Accessible Documents.
Review your site's document health, live status, and engagement metrics.
Status banner and metrics
Overlay is LIVE Banner: Displays active domain connection status and confirmation of live documents.
Visible to Public Toggle: Allows administrators to temporarily toggle public visibility of the accessibility overlay without uninstalling scripts or changing site links.
Documents Metric: The total number of PDF files detected across your site.
Live Now Metric: The count of documents currently accessible with active overlays.
Total Opens Metric: Total visitor engagements and opens across all accessible documents.
The visitor overlay experience
When a site visitor clicks any PDF link on your website, Accessible Documents automatically opens a dual-tab viewer overlay:
Document Tab (Accessible HTML): An automatically converted, responsive HTML layout formatted cleanly for assistive technology, screen readers, and mobile browsers.
Original Document Tab: A print-friendly static view of the original PDF file, with the option to view or download the fully remediated PDF.
HTML Document Chat: An AI chat interface that summarizes document content and allows readers to ask conversational questions directly within the document.
HTML-to-PDF Form Fill: For PDFs with fillable form fields, visitors can complete the form directly in the accessible HTML interface, and their responses will transfer automatically to the original PDF for download or submission.
Interactive Sidebar: Features an automated Document Outline for jumping between sections, on-the-fly Multilingual Translation, and direct download or print controls.
Customizable Reading Tools: Enables visitors to customize font size, typeface, contrast color themes, and view keyboard navigation shortcuts.
Native to Edlio CMS and available standalone
Accessible Documents offers two flexible deployment paths:
Native to Edlio CMS: Accessible Documents is built directly into your Edlio CMS admin panel. The HTML overlay is managed right alongside your pages, news, and site settings with zero code installation required.
Standalone for External Sites: If your district operates external websites, third-party portals, or auxiliary subdomains, Accessible Documents can be deployed to any site using a single embed script.
From the Accessible Documents dashboard, expand the Add to another website drawer.
Click Copy script to copy the script tag:
<script src="https://yourschool.edlio.com/next/public/embed.js" data-site="your_site_id" defer></script>
Paste the snippet into the
<head>of your external website so it loads across every page. The script safely listens only for clicks on PDF links.Once detected on a live page view, the badge will confirm Script detected.
Uploading PDFs directly for outbound messaging
If your district needs to share an accessible document via Mass Communication, newsletter broadcasts, or email announcements without publishing it on a public website page, you can host it directly inside Accessible Documents.
On the dashboard, expand the Upload a PDF card.
Drag and drop your PDF file (up to 25 MB) or click to browse your computer.
Once processed, copy the generated shareable link to paste into your message or email blast.
Customizing the overlay viewer
Administrators can customize the branding and layout of the visitor overlay viewer.
In the upper-right corner of the Accessible Documents dashboard, select Customize overlay.
District Logo: Upload your school or district logo (PNG, JPG, or WebP) to display at the top of the viewer sidebar. Use the built-in crop tool before saving.
Sidebar Position: Select whether the navigation, outline, and translation tools sidebar docks on the Left or Right side of the visitor's screen.
Review your configuration in the real-time Live preview panel.
Frequently asked questions
What standards does Edlio Accessible Documents support?
It is built specifically to support schools and districts in meeting ADA Title II, WCAG 2.2, and PDF/UA digital accessibility requirements by delivering responsive, screen-reader-friendly HTML for site documents and automated PDF remediation for source files.
Do I need to turn on or configure PDF Remediation separately?
No. PDF Remediation is automatically built into Accessible Documents. Whenever a PDF is converted into accessible HTML, the system automatically reviews and remediates the PDF simultaneously.
Do I need to update links to existing PDFs on my website?
No. The Accessible Documents script automatically intercepts clicks on existing PDF links throughout your website (page links, menu items, and file blocks), launching the overlay automatically.
How does HTML-to-PDF form fill work?
If a PDF contains interactive form fields, visitors can fill out the form directly within the accessible HTML viewer. All entered information is automatically written to the downloadable PDF file, preserving the user's data.
How are embedded PDFs handled on website pages?
Accessible Documents automatically applies the overlay to all PDFs across your site. However, the overlay does not fix un-remediated PDFs that are displayed directly on a page via the embed function in File Page Blocks. Embedded PDF viewer windows remain inaccessible to assistive technology unless visitors click the direct file name hyperlink to launch the accessible HTML overlay. To ensure optimal accessibility compliance, we recommend linking to file names rather than using raw inline page embeds.
Can I download the remediated PDF or revert to the original?
Yes. In the document review dashboard, administrators can click Download remediated PDF to save the accessible file locally, or select Use your original file instead if you prefer not to apply the automatic remediation fixes.
Can I disable the overlay for a specific document?
Yes. In the Accessible Documents table, every listed document includes an individual Overlay toggle switch, allowing administrators to disable or enable the overlay on a file-by-file basis.
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