A note about PDFs
Some important things to understand about PDFs:
- The PDF format was invented by a very large corporation called Adobe in the race to allow people to print pictures and/or colours from their home or office printer
- A PDF is almost always just a picture of information.
- A PDF is rarely a reliable storehouse or communicator of accessible information.
- Reliable information can be embedded into a PDF, but the process is expensive both in terms of Adobe subscriptions and worker-hours
- Reliable and accessible information can be embedded into a PDF, but the process is even more expensive both in terms of Adobe subscriptions and worker-hours
Printable-only PDF
Printable-only version of this Human Rights Accommodation Request form
- Pros
- If your only goal is to print a document, PDF is one of many acceptable formats. Some of the many other options include doc, txt, html, jpg, png, xml
- Will likely open on most devices
- Cons
- Difficult to preview on tablet, phone, and sometimes laptop/desktop
- Difficult to copy text/photos/information to other file formats
- Perpetuates a needless reliance on the PDF format
Printable and fillable PDF
Printable and fillable PDF version of this Human Rights Accommodation Request form- Pros
- Will likely open on most devices
- Cons
- Difficult to use on tablet, phone, and sometimes laptop/desktop
- Requires expert knowledge and access to an Adobe software tool called LiveCycle to edit. We do not have LiveCycle experience inhouse, so this means contracting out
- Difficult to test for accessibility problems
- Perpetuates a needless reliance on the PDF format
Microsoft Forms version
- Pros:
- Seems to work very reliably (no reports yet of the submit button not working after a person fills out the form)
- Because it’s within the @opseu.org sign-in system, potentially more secure than a website-hosted form
- Because it’s within the @opseu.org sign-in system, easy for staff to collaborate and have access to collected data. In fact, staff in a variety of departments are already using Microsoft Forms to collect data while Unionware is offline
- Very easily translatable into French
- A variety of accessibility measures built in
- Microsoft branding increases trustworthiness and/or credibility
- Simple functionality — it can’t do many of the things other formbuilders can do, but that might not be a bad thing. Overall, simple forms are more engaging, accessible, and successful
- Cons:
- No auto email confirmations and/or notifications
- Little interactivity – for example, these forms won’t allow a person to choose an employer and then instantly be shown their local number / regional office / CA or pension or benefits
- No file uploads
- Must use Microsoft stylings and display a variety of irrelevant/intrusive Microsoft links, logos, and disclaimers. No ability to adjust the look and feel to fit more seamlessly with the rest of of opseu.org
WPForms version
Pros:
- A variety of accessibility measures built in
- Adaptable to a particular post’s or page’s colour, look and feel
- *Very* powerful … WPForms can be programmed to do a variety of things, including:
- showing questions based on a person’s answers
- sending particular emails based on a person’s answers
- performing math on a person’s answers (the “How much can you gain” section of https://opseu.org/worth-fighting-for/ was created with WPForms)
- Translatable into French
- Entries are easily downloadable with a WordPress login
Cons:
- A bit intimidating and confusing for beginner users
- Stores entry data on the WordPress web server, over which we have less security control
- Sometimes fails, likely do to the “Cloudflare” turnstile — a person fills out the form, but when they hit submit, nothing happens. Especially frustrating on longer forms.
