How do I make a PDF accessible if it was made from a scanned image?

First, use the 'Automatically tag PDF' feature. This tool can tag both native and scanned PDFs. After auto-tagging, always check the reading order and add alt text to images. Run the Accessibility Checker to find and fix any remaining issues.

What is the difference between PDF/UA and WCAG for PDF accessibility?

Feature PDF/UA WCAG. Focus Specific to PDF documents General guidelines for all web content and technology Use Ensures technical accessibility of the PDF file itself Ensures content is accessible, regardless of technology Regulation Often required for PDF-specific accessibility Widely adopted for general accessibility regulations

What should I do if the Accessibility Checker flags many items in my PDF?

Focus on the most common issues first: reading order, alt text for images, and correct headings. Use the 'Reading Order tool' to adjust how content is read. Add or edit alt text for all images that convey meaning. Check the 'Content and Tags panels' to fix complex structure issues like tables and lists. Rerun the checker after making changes to see if issues are resolved.

Assess Evaluation Revision Impact in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

CDecide — “help me choose”I have last year's course evaluation and this year's revised version plus participant scores…+

I have last year's course evaluation and this year's revised version plus participant scores and post-course performance samples for 300 learners. I can't tell if score shifts come from the new questions or from different cohorts. Compare the two forms for question intent and sensitivity, advise whether the revisions are likely to produce more valid outcome measures, and recommend one statistical check I can run now to make the verdict defensible to our steering committee.

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.

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.

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.

Who does this

3 roles

Accessibility SpecialistInstructional DesignerDocument Remediator

FAQ

about this task

First, use the 'Automatically tag PDF' feature. This tool can tag both native and scanned PDFs.
After auto-tagging, always check the reading order and add alt text to images.
Run the Accessibility Checker to find and fix any remaining issues.

Feature	PDF/UA	WCAG
Focus	Specific to PDF documents	General guidelines for all web content and technology
Use	Ensures technical accessibility of the PDF file itself	Ensures content is accessible, regardless of technology
Regulation	Often required for PDF-specific accessibility	Widely adopted for general accessibility regulations

It is much better to fix accessibility issues in the original document (like a Word file) before you make it a PDF. When you fix the source, the PDF you create will already be accessible. This saves a lot of time and effort because you will not need to fix the PDF later. Remediating an existing untagged PDF can take a lot of time.

No, using 'Automatically tag PDF' is a great first step, but it does not make your PDF fully accessible by itself. The automation gets about 80% of the structure right. You still need to manually check and fix things like reading order, alt text for images, and complex tables to ensure full accessibility.

Focus on the most common issues first: reading order, alt text for images, and correct headings.
Use the 'Reading Order tool' to adjust how content is read.
Add or edit alt text for all images that convey meaning.
Check the 'Content and Tags panels' to fix complex structure issues like tables and lists.
Rerun the checker after making changes to see if issues are resolved.

Assess Evaluation Revision Impact

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides