[Athen] Weird PDF printing problem

[Steve Green]

If you are using Chrome, the Print dialog contains a Destination combobox that provides two options that create PDFs. The "Microsoft Print to PDF" option creates an inaccessible image-only PDF as you described. The "Save as PDF" option creates a tagged PDF that screen readers can read. You should always use the "Saved as PDF" option.

Steve Green
Managing Director
Test Partners Ltd


From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> On Behalf Of Deborah Armstrong
Sent: 14 February 2022 20:55
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Athen] Weird PDF printing problem

I have a work computer and a computer at home which also belongs to my employer, a college of course.

Both theoretically were set up with the same "image" the same version of Acrobat, Microsoft office etc.

And both run Windows 10 enterprise and I keep them both updated.

But when I print (actually save) a web page as a PDF, the home computer creates an inaccessible image-only PDF.

The office computer creates an accessible PDF. It's not perfect, but all the text is readable with a screen reader or other tool that can voice PDFS.

I would appreciate if someone could explain what's going on. How many different ways can a person "print to PDF" and which methods should one avoid if sending a web page "printout" to someone who must read it with a screen reader?

I myself am a screen reader user, but luckily I've only had to share these printouts with people who look at the PDF visually. But I still need to know what's going on.

--Debee

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