Making a scanned PDF accessible is simple if the source is available through University Libraries—this article shows you how. But even without a OneSearch permalink, you can still add a library reference to increase a PDF’s accessibility score. 

Add a Library Reference — Permalink Unavailable

Screenshot showing a poor accessibility score on a PDF

The red accessibility meter icon indicates a low accessibility score.

  1. Screenshot highlighting the library reference fields other than URL

    Enter as much of the reference information as possible: title, chapter/volume/page numbers, author(s), publication date, and publisher/journal.

    In Blackboard, click your PDF’s accessibility meter icon to open the file’s Accessibility score. 

  2. Click How to tag a PDF to begin the process. 
  3. Step 1 will ask “Can you get ahold of an editable version of this file?” Click No. 
  4. Step 2 will ask “Can you provide a bibliographic reference instead?” Click Yes. 
  5. Fill in as much reference information as you can about the source. The more information, the better. 
  6. When you’ve added all the information you can, click Add reference. 

Once you’ve completed these steps for your PDF, its accessibility score will jump to 100%.