How can I improve the accessibility of a PDF that was scanned from a paper document?

Use the 'Automatically tag PDF' feature in Acrobat Pro. This helps recognize text and structure in scanned documents. Manually check and correct the reading order to ensure the content flows logically. Add alt text to any images or charts that were part of the scanned document. Run the Accessibility Checker to find and fix any remaining issues, especially for text recognition errors.

Archive Closing Compliance in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

CDecide — “help me choose”We closed at 4pm and I need to save the executed closing package to the brokerage shared folder…+

We closed at 4pm and I need to save the executed closing package to the brokerage shared folder before I forget. Compliance expects the file organized and discoverable but I’m juggling client calls. Tell me the exact file naming, what metadata to include, and one quick check to ensure the scanned signatures are capture-quality before I upload.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF document you want to check for accessibility.
2
Click the Tools tab at the top of the Acrobat window.
3
Scroll through the list and select Accessibility to add the Accessibility tools to your workspace if they are not already visible.
Best practiceIf you do not see the Accessibility tools, you may need to add them from the Tools pane as they are not shown by default.
4
In the Accessibility tools pane, click Full Check.
5
In the Accessibility Checker Options dialog, review the settings and click Start Checking.
Best practiceFor a thorough check, ensure all checkboxes are selected before starting the check.
6
Review the results displayed in the Accessibility Checker panel on the left side of the screen.

In the appWith the API

You can right-click in the Navigation Pane to show the Accessibility tags panel for more detailed tag inspection.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

AccessibilityMaking sure everyone, including people with disabilities, can use something.ExampleThe website was designed with Accessibility in mind, so screen readers can easily navigate it.

TaggingAdding labels to parts of a document so screen readers can understand it.ExampleTagging a document helps visually impaired users navigate its content with a screen reader.

Alt textA short description for images so people who cannot see them know what they show.ExampleA person using a screen reader hears 'a red bicycle leaning against a brick wall' when they encounter the image.

Who does this

3 roles

Accessibility SpecialistInstructional DesignerDocument Remediator

FAQ

about this task

PDF/UA is a specific standard for PDF documents to make them accessible. WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is a broader set of rules for all web content, not just PDFs. Many regulated jobs need you to follow both standards to ensure full accessibility for your documents.

Use the 'Automatically tag PDF' feature in Acrobat Pro. This helps recognize text and structure in scanned documents.
Manually check and correct the reading order to ensure the content flows logically.
Add alt text to any images or charts that were part of the scanned document.
Run the Accessibility Checker to find and fix any remaining issues, especially for text recognition errors.

It is much easier and faster to make a document accessible in its original program, like Microsoft Word. If you fix it there, the PDF created from it will often be accessible from the start. Fixing an already-made PDF takes a lot more time and effort because you have to change the structure after it's been created.

The Reading Order tool helps you make sure that the content in your PDF is read in the correct sequence. This is very important for people who use screen readers, so they hear the information in a logical and easy-to-understand flow, just as you intend it.

Acrobat's auto-tagging can identify basic table structures. However, for complex tables with merged cells, multiple header rows, or unusual layouts, it often needs human help. After auto-tagging, you should always use the 'Tags' panel to manually review and adjust the table structure to ensure it's correctly understood by screen readers. This ensures all users can navigate and understand the table data.

Archive Closing Compliance

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides