How can I fix an existing PDF that was not made accessible from the start?

First, use the 'Automatically tag PDF' tool to add basic structure. Then, use the 'Fix reading order' tool to correct the sequence of content. Run the 'Accessibility Checker' to find specific issues like missing alt text or heading problems. Manually fix these flagged items using the Content and Tags panels. This process can take a lot of time for older, untagged PDFs.

Produce Accessibility Packet in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Produce an accessibility-checked campaign packet, verify tagging and reading order, and deliver…+

Produce an accessibility-checked campaign packet, verify tagging and reading order, and deliver the compliant PDF to [team=Legal] and [team=Inclusion] by [deadline=Friday] so ads meet standards.

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

BImprove — “do it better”Before finalizing, run the accessibility check, fix alternate text and reading order issues,…+

Before finalizing, run the accessibility check, fix alternate text and reading order issues, add an accessibility statement page, and have [team=Inclusion] review the packet so [team=Legal] won’t raise accessibility corrections after sign-off.

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.

Tagging (PDF)Tagging a PDF means adding hidden labels that describe the structure of the document, like headings, paragraphs, and lists.ExampleTagging a PDF ensures that a screen reader correctly identifies headings, paragraphs, and lists for accessibility.

Who does this

3 roles

Accessibility SpecialistInstructional DesignerDocument Remediator

FAQ

about this task

PDF/UA is a specific standard for PDF documents, focusing on how the PDF itself is structured for accessibility. WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is a broader set of rules for all types of digital content, not just PDFs. Many regulated documents need to meet both standards to be fully accessible.

First, use the 'Automatically tag PDF' tool to add basic structure.
Then, use the 'Fix reading order' tool to correct the sequence of content.
Run the 'Accessibility Checker' to find specific issues like missing alt text or heading problems.
Manually fix these flagged items using the Content and Tags panels. This process can take a lot of time for older, untagged PDFs.

Fixing accessibility in the source document, like a Word file, is much better because it saves time and effort. When you export an accessible Word document to PDF, the PDF will often keep its accessibility features. This means you have less work to do in Acrobat later, making the process faster and more accurate.

Yes, the PDF Accessibility Auto-Tag API is designed to work with both native and scanned PDFs. It uses special technology to tag headings, tables, lists, and paragraphs, even if the scanned document is not perfectly clear.

The 'Reading Order tool' lets you manually adjust the order in which a screen reader will read the content of your PDF. It is very important because if the reading order is wrong, people using screen readers might hear information in a confusing or illogical sequence, making the document hard to understand.

Produce Accessibility Packet

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides