Digital Accessibility
Digital Accessibility / Non-HTML Content (PDF) / Remediating PDF Documents

Remediating PDF Documents

Making PDFs accessible can be time-consuming and costly, especially for documents with complex layouts. Before remediating a PDF, consider whether the content could be provided as an HTML webpage instead. HTML is generally more accessible, easier to maintain, and works better across devices and assistive technologies. If a PDF is still needed, consider offering it as a print-friendly version alongside an accessible HTML page.

If a PDF is the most appropriate format for your content, you can use Adobe Acrobat Pro to remediate the document and improve its accessibility.

Before You Begin

Review the document's complexity and features to determine the scope of remediation. Documents with tables, forms, images, charts, or multi-column layouts typically require more time and manual review.

Check Whether the PDF Is Tagged

Tags provide the structure that screen readers use to interpret a document.

  1. Open the PDF inAdobe Acrobat Pro.
  2. Select File > Properties.
  3. In the Document Properties window, look for Tagged PDF in the lower-left corner.
  4. A value of "Yes" indicates the document contains tags; "No" indicates it is untagged.

If the PDF was exported from an accessible source document, it may already contain tags. If not, Acrobat can automatically add tags using the Make Accessible or Autotag Document tools. Automated tagging should always be reviewed for accuracy.

Review the Reading Order

Even when tags are present, the reading order may not be correct.

  1. Open the "Accessibility tools panel".
  2. Select > Reading Order.
  3. Review the document structure and ensure headings, paragraphs, lists, tables, and other elements are tagged correctly.
  4. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure content is read in a logical order.

Add Alternative Text to Images

Images that convey information should include descriptive alternative text.

  1. Open the "Accessibility tools panel".
  2. Select > Set Alternate Text.
  3. Add meaningful descriptions for informative images.
  4. Mark purely decorative images as decorative so they are ignored by assistive technologies.

Run an Accessibility Check

After making updates, run Acrobat's accessibility checker to identify remaining issues.

  1. Open the "Accessibility tools panel".
  2. Select > Accessibility Check.
  3. Review the results and address any reported errors, warnings, or manual review items.

Accessibility remediation often requires both automated tools and manual testing. Always review the final document to ensure it can be navigated and understood by users of assistive technologies.