Essential Accessible InDesign Template

Create accessible InDesign files faster.

Are you familiar with accessibility practices in InDesign but want a quicker or more efficient way to get started with the proper file setup?

The Essential Accessible InDesign Template (INDT and IDML formats) is an accessible publication starter template set up with the proper structure and tags for accessibility, including:

• Master pages
• Table of contents
• Ordered Articles panel
• Ordered Layers panel
• Paragraph styles
• Character styles
• Object styles

The template includes a cover and front matter, table of contents and two chapters.

Download the template, add your content and continue the accessibility work in InDesign.

Note: Knowledge of accessibility practices in InDesign is required. That’s because you can start with an “accessible-as-possible” InDesign file, but if you don’t follow proper practices, it will affect the accessibility that is in place. Plus, an “accessible-as-possible” InDesign file does not mean you will export to a PDF and have an accessible PDF. There is more work required.

Support and training are not included.

About the Creator

Hi! I’m Colleen Gratzer. In 2016, I was recruited into accessibility by an expert who is on two international accessibility standards committees.

I didn’t even know what accessibility was at the time. But I was fed up with my consulting business, so I was willing to give it a shot.

I was mostly busy with lots of repeat clients and making good money. But I found it difficult to get new clients and set myself apart from all the other designers out there. I felt stuck!

Getting into accessibility turned around my business—and my confidence—for the better.

Accessibility put me in high demand. I went from competing for work to work coming to me.

I got more respect. I started charging more (and clients stopped questioning the price!). I stopped getting pushback on my designs.

I am passionate about accessibility and helping other designers learn it, so that they are better designers, more confident and more efficient.

I combine my expertise as a designer with my unique ability to break down the complex topic of accessibility into a plain-English process that is much easier to understand than trying to decipher accessibility guidelines.

I’ve provided InDesign accessibility training to the U.S. Department of the Interior and for CreativePro and other events. I’ve been a member of the IAAP, the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.