How do I make sure my PDF follows accessibility rules?

First, use the 'Automatically tag PDF' tool. Next, manually check and fix the reading order of your content. Then, add alt text to all images and check table structures. Finally, run the 'Accessibility Checker' to find and fix any remaining issues.

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

Feature PDF/UA WCAG. Focus Specific to PDF documents General for all web content Purpose Ensures technical accessibility of PDF files Provides guidelines for making web content accessible Requirement Often required for PDF-specific regulations Commonly required for broad digital accessibility

Define Access Rules in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Set up access rules for records: configure access so only [managers] can open payroll and…+

Set up access rules for records: configure access so only [managers] can open payroll and disciplinary PDFs, apply encryption and role-based permissions, and confirm access with [it] before enforcing.

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

BImprove — “do it better”Before enforcing access rules, map who exactly needs view vs edit rights, create a…+

Before enforcing access rules, map who exactly needs view vs edit rights, create a [managers]-only folder with audit logging, document the approval chain for access exceptions, and ask [it] to run a quick access test with [N=2] manager accounts to prevent lockouts.

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.
Next, manually check and fix the reading order of your content.
Then, add alt text to all images and check table structures.
Finally, run the 'Accessibility Checker' to find and fix any remaining issues.

Tagging is the most important step for PDF accessibility because it defines the structure of the document. This structure tells screen readers and other assistive technologies how to read the content in the correct order, making it understandable for users with visual impairments.

Yes, you can. Acrobat's auto-tagging feature works for both native and scanned PDFs. It uses smart technology to identify headings, tables, lists, and paragraphs, even in scanned documents. However, you will still need to manually verify and correct the tags, reading order, and alt text after the automatic process.

Feature	PDF/UA	WCAG
Focus	Specific to PDF documents	General for all web content
Purpose	Ensures technical accessibility of PDF files	Provides guidelines for making web content accessible
Requirement	Often required for PDF-specific regulations	Commonly required for broad digital accessibility

Fixing accessibility in the original source document, such as a Word file, is much more efficient. When you create an accessible source document, the exported PDF will often retain most of its accessibility features. This saves a lot of time and effort compared to fixing an untagged PDF later in Acrobat, which can be a very time-intensive process.

Define Access Rules

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides