Section Menu Access For All
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What is Document Remediation?

It's the process of fixing a document file that contains accessibility issues.

  • This page contains general information about document remediation, including tools that can assist with the process of remediation.
     
  • Document remediation is time-consuming and laborious. Document accessibility training is strongly recommended before attempting remediation. 

Is Remediation Right For Me?

Remediation is not ideal for all documents as it requires training, time & labor.

Prioritize remediation only for critical and frequently accessed files that must remain online.

See the sections below for more guidance on whether remediation is right for you. 

In many instances document remediation CAN be avoided. 

Remediation can be avoided by:

  • posting more information directly on webpages
  • moving more PDF forms to online form platforms
  • getting training on best practices for documents
  • archiving outdated files, when appropriate
  • OR deleting outdated document files

Unsure About Remediation?

If you still need help deciding whether document remediation is right for you, check out the Decision Guide in the next section. 

This guide can be used if you are still unsure whether document remediation is feasible. Please note, document accessibility training is strongly recommended before you attempt document remediation. 

You can visit the Video Tutorials webpage to watch the Introduction to Document Accessibility Video and additional tutorials.

Decision Guide 

Document Scenario Recommended Action
If the document supports current department transactions, or is used to access current programs / services Remediate the document and confirm it meets accessibility WCAG Level 2.1 AA compliance.
If the information in the document is brief or mainly text-based. Ideal to incorporate the document's information onto a new or existing space on a webpage. 
If the document is no longer relevant or needed. Remove the document from the website or consider archiving it.

See Document Archiving Procedure webpage to learn more.
The document is a flyer. Incorporate the information onto a webpage. 

Alternatively, you can deconstruct the flyer but bringing over it's text-based information and incorporate the flyer's information onto an existing webpage.
The document is a PDF document or PDF form.

Remediate the document or convert it to web content.

Most PDF forms can be converted to either a Microsoft Form, Qualtrics Form or an OIT Paperless Form.
The document is a scanned PDF or photocopied document.

Remediate or recreate the file.

Scanned documents are treated as images and do not contain accessible text or other accessibility features. 
My department cannot remediate the file. Move the information to a webpage or online form.

Alternatively, training can be help departments follow best practices for making accessible documents. Visit the Video Tutorials page to get training on document accessibility.

  1. Watch Training Videos
    • Watch the Introduction to Document Accessibility Video on the Video Tutorials page; it's a great starting point towards gaining a basic understanding of document accessibility.
  2. Identify Issues in a Document
    • After training videos, check department documents using a built-in accessibility checker.
    • Microsoft Word / Office 365 and Adobe Acrobat, feature built-in Accessibility Checkers.
  3. Fix the Department Documents 
    • After issues have been identified, apply the knowledge from trainings to fix document issues.
    • Check out document remediation tools like REMI and Equidox.

Resources to Get Started 

You can gain a general understanding of document accessibility and also expand your knowledge using the resources linked below.

  1. Video Tutorials:
    Contains various Introductory video and other document tutorials grouped by file type.
  2. Training Courses & Modules:
    Free, self-paced tutorials where you can learn at your pace are available. 

In addition to document accessibility training, there are tools that can help you start the process of remediation.

Please note, using these tools does not replace the need for document accessibility training. Training is required to perform remediation and validation of document accessibility. 

The following resources can be used to start the process of document remediation. 

  1. REMI

    • An AI-based document assistant powered by ChatGPT,  that can be used to assess your document's overall accessibility and can identify common mistakes on your document.
    • While REMI does not perform remediation, it can help you get closer to achieving an accessible version. See the next section to learn more about REMI. 
       

  2. Equidox

    • A web-based document accessibility app that can identify document issues and can help fix them.
    • See the next section to learn more about Equidox.

  • Be wary of any Artificial Intelligence, auto-tagging or auto-fix features that claim to fix your document's accessibility issues.
  • AI and document apps consistently do make mistakes and should not be relied or used to confirm a document's accessibility.
  • Always integrate human review and testing to ensure full compliance.
REMI, the AI Document Accessibility Assistant

REMI

REMI (Review, Evaluate and Make Inclusive) is an AI assistant that helps staff identify and address potential accessibility issues in Word documents and PDFs.

Please note: REMI does NOT certify documents are accessible. Using REMI does not replace document accessibility training or the manual review process needed to ensure compliance. Always review AI-generated content for accuracy and accessibility before distributing or publishing documents.

A Stan State ChatGPT Edu account is required.

Chat with REMI

  • AI Document Assistant: 
    REMI is an AI assistant running on ChatGPT that can be used to review a document's overall accessibility.
     
  • When in Doubt, Ask REMI
    REMI can answer questions on document accessibility, document audits and general accessibility topics.
     
  • Document Accessibility Review:
    REMI can flag potential document accessibility issues and recommend steps to correct the detected issues.
     
  • Assists with Document Audits
    REMI is a great companion to assist departments with their Document Audits.

Please note: All content generated by REMI is not certified as being accessible. Human review is required to verify document compliance.

  • Can Answer Your Accessibility Questions:
    You can ask REMI general questions about document accessibility, including any questions related to digital accessibility - including document audits.
     
  • Conducts Individual Document Review:
    Upload a document file and REMI will start reviewing it. REMI will flag any noticeable accessibility flaws and recommend steps to fix them. 
     
  • REMI Creates Workable Drafts:
    Working with an existing PDF but don’t have access to an original, editable version? REMI’s most helpful feature is the ability to turn existing document files into workable, editable drafts.
     
    • Workable Drafts are MS Word files that contain missing accessibility features. These drafts are helpful because they can get you closer to achieving an accessible document.
       
    • Please Note: Any document & draft files produced by REMI are not certified as accessible. A human must review all output from REMI to determine if a document is compliant.
       
  • Decision Making for Audits:
    For document audits, REMI can help you decide if a document file is better suited as web content, archiving or removal.
     
  • Can Perform Limited Optical Character Recognition
    • Have a photocopied PDF document? REMI can recognize text from a scanned page and convert it into a Microsoft Word Draft with workable text.
    • Supports documents up to 5 pages long.
    • Please note - REMI's output will still need review. 
       
  • Also see the Limitations section to learn more about limitations with REMI.

Tips: 

  • As with all AI models, REMI may not get things right on the first attempt. It can sometimes take multiple attempts before you reach a desired, workable output.
     
  • If you have preferred file formatting, you can instruct REMI to retain formatting styles and REMI will do its best to follow it. Please note this also may take multiple attempts.

 

  • Supports Adobe PDF & Microsoft Word
    At this time, REMI only supports Microsoft Word and PDF files.
    • PDFs containing fillable form fields and options are not yet supported.
    • Excel and PowerPoint files are not yet supported.
       
  • One Document Per Conversation 
    REMI can handle only one document per conversation. Providing multiple documents in the same conversation can overwhelm REMI and consequently cause REMI to hallucinate and produce erroneous files.
     
  • 10 Page Limit Per Conversation
    REMI can only review up to 10 pages max. Going beyond 10 pages can result in an increased likelihood of mistakes and hallucination.
     
  • Does Not Support Automation
    REMI does not perform automated document audits. Only departments can conduct audits.
     
  • Supports Simple Documents
    REMI does not handle PDFs that contain complex visuals or complex graphs (histograms, organizational charts),  tables or any similar visual diagrams.

Help Me Determine the Best Way to Share

Can you review this document and determine if it would be better to remain as a document, be converted to web content, become an online form, be archived, or be removed from the website?

Review My Document

Can you please review my document against WCAG 2.1 Level AA criteria? Does it follow best practices for document accessibility? If not, can you please outline them for me in layman’s terms and recommend the next best steps?

Convert Existing File to a Workable Word Document

Can you review this document and help produce a workable Word file? Please use best practices for WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Title II.

Keep My Formatting

Can you review this file and help make it into a workable Word file? I'd like to keep the existing formatting as much as possible. Please use best practices for WCAG 2.1 Level AA and Title II.

Equidox logo

Equidox

Equidox is a web-based, self-service app that can help you identify and correct common accessibility issues in existing documents. Equidox is an essential tool for the documents that require manual remediation.

Please note: Training is highly recommended before attempting document remediation. 

Equidox can be accessed by Stan State faculty & staff.  

  •  To request access to Equidox,  send an email to the Web Team at: Webupdate@csustan.edu.
  • Once the Web Team creates your account, you will receive a confirmation email.

 

 

PDF Accessibility Checker Logo

PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC)

Support Articles by File Type

This section contains support articles for various file types. Looking for video walkthroughs? Check out the Video Tutorials webpage.  

Related:

Document Archiving Procedure
Introduction to Document Accessibility Training
Online Forms
Training Courses & Modules
Video Tutorials

Updated: September 21, 2026