PDF Accessibility in Everyday University Life: How TU Chemnitz Changes Structures, Not Just Formats

With the action plan “TU Chemnitz on the Path to an Inclusive University,” the university laid the foundation for greater digital participation in 2017. One major challenge was the vast number of media formats. Websites, videos, and thousands of documents now had to be designed to be accessible. Particularly complex was the handling of decentralized PDF files created by lecturers.

To ensure that digital accessibility becomes not just a goal but an achievable standard, TU Chemnitz acted on two levels: comprehensive training programs and technological support. axesWord in particular became the preferred tool for PDF creation because it is integrated directly into Microsoft Word and enables accessibility without additional post-processing. Lecturers and staff use it independently and with a high level of acceptance.

Today, axesWord is firmly embedded in the daily work routine at TU Chemnitz. Demand for licenses continues to grow, and more and more employees use the tool independently to create accessible PDFs. At the same time, awareness of digital accessibility has increased significantly. This momentum has triggered a genuine cultural shift: templates have been optimized, processes refined, and knowledge actively shared. Training sessions are in high demand. TU Chemnitz is now considered a flagship institution and is regularly approached by other organizations as a best-practice example.