How can I make a PDF accessible if it was scanned from a paper document?

Open the scanned PDF in Acrobat Pro. Go to 'All tools' > 'Prepare for accessibility'. Use 'Automatically tag PDF'. This tool can tag both native and scanned PDFs. Then, manually check the reading order and add alt text for images. Scanned documents often need more human review.

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

Feature PDF/UA WCAG. What it is A specific standard for accessible PDF documents. General guidelines for web content accessibility across all technologies. Focus Ensures the PDF itself is structured correctly for accessibility. Ensures the information is accessible, regardless of the technology used. When to use Often required for government or regulated documents. A broader standard for digital content, including PDFs.

Consistent Layout Standards in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

DBecome — “help me grow”Over the last year, inconsistent spec sheets cost me roughly four extra review hours per…+

Over the last year, inconsistent spec sheets cost me roughly four extra review hours per project. Diagnose where juniors diverge most (naming, tolerances, finish notes) and propose one enforced template rule that would cut review time by at least 30%. Include how to introduce the template so the team adopts it without pushback.

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

Open the scanned PDF in Acrobat Pro.
Go to 'All tools' > 'Prepare for accessibility'.
Use 'Automatically tag PDF'. This tool can tag both native and scanned PDFs.
Then, manually check the reading order and add alt text for images. Scanned documents often need more human review.

Feature	PDF/UA	WCAG
What it is	A specific standard for accessible PDF documents.	General guidelines for web content accessibility across all technologies.
Focus	Ensures the PDF itself is structured correctly for accessibility.	Ensures the information is accessible, regardless of the technology used.
When to use	Often required for government or regulated documents.	A broader standard for digital content, including PDFs.

Fixing accessibility in the source document, like a Word file, is much more efficient. When you export an accessible source file to PDF, it often keeps its tags and structure. This saves a lot of time and effort compared to fixing an untagged PDF later, which can be very time-consuming and complex.

Fixing reading order means making sure the text and images in your PDF are read in the correct sequence by screen readers. If the reading order is wrong, a screen reader might jump around the page, making the document confusing for users with visual impairments.

No, the 'Accessibility Checker' identifies problems but does not fix everything automatically. It flags issues like missing alt text, incorrect tab order, or wrong heading levels. You must then manually go through the flagged items and correct them. The checker is a guide, not an automatic repair tool.

Consistent Layout Standards

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides