DocAccess for Diligent Community

DocAccess is an optional accessibility add-on for Diligent Community that improves access to public PDF documents.

When enabled, DocAccess extends accessibility beyond native HTML agendas and minutes to support PDF documents, including attachments to agenda packets, minutes, policies, PDF public records, and document archives.

DocAccess availability

DocAccess is available as a separately licensed product and is not included with Diligent Community by default. For more details, contact your Customer Success Manager.

If DocAccess is enabled for your organization, supported public PDF documents can be accessed throughout Diligent Community, including:

  • Attachments in agendas, minutes, and policies

  • Document library

  • Global search results

  • Split-screen document views

DocAccess capabilities

DocAccess automatically creates an accessible HTML alternative for supported public PDF documents. This alternative experience is designed to improve access for people using screen readers, assistive technologies, and mobile devices while making document content easier to navigate and interact with.

Depending on document type and configuration, DocAccess capabilities can include:

  • Accessible HTML viewing experience for PDF documents

  • Improved compatibility with screen readers and assistive technologies

  • Automatic document structure and navigation

  • Interactive document outlines and headings

  • Search within document content

  • Language translation

  • Ask a Question functionality that allows you to interact with document content using natural language

  • Access to Aira visual interpretation services where enabled

  • Mobile-friendly viewing experience

  • Accessibility reporting and document visibility tools

These capabilities help improve access to governance information for assistive technologies, multilingual communities, and mobile devices.

What to expect when DocAccess is enabled

When a supported public PDF document is opened on the public site, Diligent Community provides the option to display the DocAccess view instead of the standard PDF viewer.

The original PDF remains available and unchanged. DocAccess generates an alternative HTML experience designed to make content easier to access, navigate, and interact with while preserving the original document as the official record.

PDF documents can still be uploaded using their existing Diligent Community publishing processes. Eligible PDF documents are processed automatically without requiring a separate accessibility workflow, document-by-document remediation process, or specialized accessibility expertise.

DocAccess applies only to supported public PDF files, such as:

  • Authenticated or private documents

  • Non-public content

  • Microsoft Word documents

  • Microsoft Excel workbooks

  • Microsoft PowerPoint presentations

  • Other non-PDF file types

These file types continue to behave as they do today within Diligent Community.

DocAccess and accessibility

DocAccess helps to improve accessibility across public PDF content and supports broader accessibility initiatives. It can be used to extend accessibility coverage across supporting governance documents, including documents created internally or provided by external vendors, consultants, and third parties. The original PDF document remains unchanged and part of the official record.

DocAccess is designed to support accessibility efforts and help with the preparation for accessibility requirements. However, DocAccess does not guarantee compliance for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADA Title II, or Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and it should be considered as one component of a broader accessibility program.