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

Open your scanned PDF in Acrobat. Go to 'All tools' > 'Prepare for accessibility'. Use 'Automatically tag PDF' to add structure to the scanned text. Then, manually check the reading order and add alt text to any images.

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

Standard Focus When to use. PDF/UA Specific to PDF documents, making sure their internal structure is accessible. When you need to meet a strict PDF-specific accessibility standard. WCAG General guidelines for web content, applies to PDFs as one type of content. When you need to meet broader web accessibility rules, often for government or public websites.

If my PDF has complex tables, how do I ensure they are accessible after auto-tagging?

Even after auto-tagging, complex tables often need manual review. Use the 'Reading Order' tool in Acrobat to check the table structure. Verify that table headers are correctly identified and associated with their data cells. Adjust tags in the 'Content' and 'Tags' panels if needed to define table relationships clearly. This ensures screen readers can correctly interpret the table data.

Attach Traceable Evidence in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

BImprove — “do it better”Make the record reviewer-friendly: move the pass/fail summary and analyst initials to the top,…+

Make the record reviewer-friendly: move the pass/fail summary and analyst initials to the top, attach raw instrument CSVs and calibration logs, and combine into one searchable PDF so QA and the auditor can trace each data source without opening separate files.

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.

PDF/UAA specific standard for making PDFs accessible.ExampleA company creates a PDF/UA document so visually impaired users can access its content.

Who does this

3 roles

Accessibility SpecialistInstructional DesignerDocument Remediator

FAQ

about this task

Open your scanned PDF in Acrobat.
Go to 'All tools' > 'Prepare for accessibility'.
Use 'Automatically tag PDF' to add structure to the scanned text.
Then, manually check the reading order and add alt text to any images.

Standard	Focus	When to use
PDF/UA	Specific to PDF documents, making sure their internal structure is accessible.	When you need to meet a strict PDF-specific accessibility standard.
WCAG	General guidelines for web content, applies to PDFs as one type of content.	When you need to meet broader web accessibility rules, often for government or public websites.

It is much easier and saves time to fix accessibility issues in the original document, like a Word file. If you make sure the source document is accessible, then when you save it as a PDF, it will already have many accessibility features built in. This means you will spend less time fixing the PDF later.

Reading order is the sequence in which a screen reader or other assistive technology reads the content on a PDF page. It matters because if the reading order is wrong, a user might hear text or images in a jumbled or illogical sequence, making the document impossible to understand. You must check and fix it manually.

Even after auto-tagging, complex tables often need manual review.
Use the 'Reading Order' tool in Acrobat to check the table structure.
Verify that table headers are correctly identified and associated with their data cells.
Adjust tags in the 'Content' and 'Tags' panels if needed to define table relationships clearly.
This ensures screen readers can correctly interpret the table data.

Attach Traceable Evidence

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides