Accessible documents that work for real people
Documents by Design creates, designs, and remediates accessible documents and publications so that more people can read, understand, and use what you share.
From reports and proposals to brochures, lead magnets, pitch decks, and marketing materials, I help businesses and organisations communicate clearly, confidently, and inclusively without compromising on good design.
Accessibility isn’t about dumbing things down, having ugly design, or getting everything “perfect”. It’s about removing barriers, reducing frustration, and making sure your documents work in the real world.
Why accessible documents matter
Around 11% of New Zealand adults live with a vision impairment, and with our ageing population, that number is only expected to grow.
If your digital documents and publications aren’t intentionally accessible, a meaningful part of your audience may not be able to engage with them at all, especially people who rely on screen readers or other assistive technology.
If your documents are read in Australia, Canada, the USA, the UK, or the EU, there are also accessibility compliance and expectations you need to be aware of.
But this isn’t just about compliance.
Accessible documents:
Reduce frustration and confusion for readers
Improve clarity and usability for everyone, not just screen-reader users
Help your message land the way you intended
Support people using a range of devices and assistive tools
Make updates and future revisions easier to manage
Strengthen trust and credibility with clients, customers, and stakeholders
Align with your business values around equity and inclusion
Lower the risk of accessibility complaints or rework later
It’s ethical, practical, and good business.
What I do
I design, create, and remediate accessible documents that look great, function properly, and remove unintentional barriers for people with disabilities.
That includes:
Designing accessible PDFs from the ground up
Remediating existing documents to meet international accessibility standards
Ensuring documents work with screen readers
Lay out your content so it’s clear, logical, and easy to navigate
Accessibility goes far beyond colour contrast and font choice. It includes:
Proper tagging and language settings
Logical reading order and heading structure
Usable bookmarks and navigation for longer documents
Correctly structured lists, tables, and links
Real-world testing with screen readers and accessibility checkers
Inclusive design, without judgement, whether you’re:
A small business wanting to do the right thing
A corporate addressing accessibility requirements
An organisation needing to do better
You’re welcome here. I meet you where you’re at, explain things clearly, and focus on practical improvements — not blame or overwhelm.
Let’s make your documents work better
I’m here to make design that includes more people, reduces frustration, and helps your business thrive.
If you’d like to talk about accessible documents, remediation, or just ask a few questions, I’d love to hear from you.
Let’s make inclusion a priority — together.
