RE: question regarding printed PDF documents

Our Ontario Huma Rights Commission and several other organizations have gone
to a two step "signing" process for PDF forms.

The first step is a check box that basically says that the form has been
filled out to be accurate to the best of your knowledge.

The second step is a text form control where you type your name. This
combination is a substitute for a signature. The form can then be sent via
e-mail or if there is a Submit button, the data can be sent.

I work with seniors, among other groups, where the person only has their
cell phone or tablet. They don't have a desktop, laptop, printer, scanner or
other peripherals. Many wouldn't know where to begin in acquiring these
tools, connecting them and going through the process of printing, signing,
scanning and e-mailing or sending by snail mail.

The two step "verification" works instead of adding signature form controls
to the PDF. The "digital signature" created by a PDF editor is not always
recognized as a valid signature by all levels of local/regional/national or
international government entities. While some point out the same flaws in
the two step "signature", it is a way around the print, sign and send
process that many can't a

Cheers, Karen

-----Original Message-----
From: Karen Lewellen <klewellen@shellworld.net> 
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2024 6:35 PM
To: Deborah Dinzes <Deborah.Dinzes@becu.org>
Cc: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: Re: question regarding printed PDF documents

Hi Deborah,
Thank you for the opportunity your question presents.
Speaking personally, it creates a fine moment to underscore a few critical
factors.
First, as many remind us often wcag are guidelines and standards, the laws
which  include not only the ada, but human rights laws in jurisdictions
include  elements that, would not likely? be incorporated in standards if
that resonates.
I have no idea what state you are operating in, or if your organization
falls  under federal mandate only.
Still, I invite you to remember the role equality, the ability to access
goods & services equal to others plays in those laws.
Let's therefore explore all the barriers your process might present to any
number  of populations living with a disability experience.
to your mind it is the simple process of printing signing and returning this
file.
That requires a computer that can be controlled, by voice if paraplegic, by
programs that modify presentation if experiencing a learning or reading
related challenge.  That computer must likewise have access to adobe
software  to print your file.  Recently adobe has made changes to their
software, many older editions no longer work.
Next there must be a printer, that can produce a legally acceptable copy of
this form, which must be read to even locate the place for a signature.
What does that mean if again you are managing by voice, cannot hold a pen,
cannot locate a signature line without the presence of someone who does not
live with said comparative disability.
You have likely  now added the need..for someone sighted, or with fully
functional hands who must be found to complete this task.
And I have not even started on the  process of getting this form back to
your office.
Speaking profoundly personally the often automatic assumption, no matter how
intended, that living with a disability experience means that you 
will have   uniformly someone else able to work around such common 
barriers is frankly reprehensible.
Again, its a bias born of many factors and stereotypes, but in short it
says.
you live with a disability experience, therefore someone must be taking 
care   of you.
Someone exists to read for you, sign for you or facilitate your signing,
manage documents for you, use your computers in place of you etc. 
is  the issue more clear?
Are you going to find a wcag or ada  rule that says  creating a process that
automatically requires a person living with any number of 
disabilities   to find someone not  living with the same disabilities to 
complete the task is discriminatory?  Perhaps not, but common sense and
respect of human dignity says you should.
Does that help?
Kare


On Mon, 15 Jan 2024, Deborah Dinzes wrote:

> Hello,
>
> We have a question regarding printing PDF documents. We currently publish
PDF forms, which people can download and fill out electronically. They then
have to print the form, sign it, and send it to us (or fax it or scan and
email it). They have the option of completing the form electronically in
DocuSign, electronically signing the document, and submitting it
electronically.
>
> It's been asserted that printing the form and signing it makes it
inherently inaccessible to some users. Our credit union requires us to meet
the WCAG 2.0 standard for our website, and as our PDFs are published there,
we are making sure they are also WCAG - compliant. Is there anything in WCAG
that states that printing and signing a PDF document is a violation of WCAG
or ADA requirements?
>
> The signature area on the PDF is currently blank - no form field, just a
box to sign in - because we cannot accept digital PDF signatures as they are
not verified. We currently add expansion text to the "Signature" label that
reads out loud: "Borrower's Signature. Please print, sign, and submit this
form by email, fax, or mail."  This contact information is provided on the
form.
>
> Thank you for your advice.
>
> Deborah Dinzes
>
>
> <https://becu.org/>
>
> Deborah Dinzes
> Sr Technical Writer, Knowledge Management Offsite | Our 
> vision<https://becu1.sharepoint.com/sites/km/SitePages/_KM-at-BECU.aspx>
is a BECU community empowered with the information they need, when they need
it.
>
>
> Please consider the environment before printing this email.
>
>
>
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Received on Tuesday, 16 January 2024 15:11:06 UTC