How do I make sure my PDF is accessible for people with disabilities?

First, use the 'Automatically tag PDF' tool to give your document a basic structure. Next, check and fix the 'Reading Order' to ensure content flows logically. Finally, run the 'Accessibility Checker' and fix any issues it finds, like missing alt text for images or incorrect heading levels. This makes your PDF usable by screen readers.

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

Standard Focus Scope. PDF/UA Specific to PDF documents Ensures the PDF itself is structured for accessibility. WCAG General guidelines for all web content Provides broad rules for making any digital content accessible, not just PDFs.

Persuasive Accessible Brief in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

CDecide — “help me choose”We have a long policy document that needs to be made accessible and also persuasive for…+

We have a long policy document that needs to be made accessible and also persuasive for skeptical outlets. I can simplify language, add summaries, or produce an accessible PDF. Recommend which changes will most increase uptake among reporters with limited time, which accessibility additions move the needle for disabled audiences, and provide a tight lead paragraph for the brief.

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' tool to give your document a basic structure.
Next, check and fix the 'Reading Order' to ensure content flows logically.
Finally, run the 'Accessibility Checker' and fix any issues it finds, like missing alt text for images or incorrect heading levels. This makes your PDF usable by screen readers.

Standard	Focus	Scope
PDF/UA	Specific to PDF documents	Ensures the PDF itself is structured for accessibility.
WCAG	General guidelines for all web content	Provides broad rules for making any digital content accessible, not just PDFs.

It is always better to make your original document (like a Word file) accessible before you save it as a PDF. When you create an accessible source document, the exported PDF will often keep that accessibility. This saves a lot of time and effort compared to fixing an already created PDF, which can be a long and difficult process.

Yes, Acrobat can help. The 'Automatically tag PDF' tool uses smart technology (Sensei) to tag headings, tables, and lists in both native and scanned PDFs. This means even scanned documents can get a basic structure for accessibility.

The 'Accessibility Checker' is a tool in Acrobat that scans your PDF for common accessibility problems. It flags issues like missing alt text for images, incorrect reading order, or problems with headings and tab order. After the check, you can see a list of problems and fix them to make your PDF more accessible.

Persuasive Accessible Brief

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides