How do I make sure my PDF is accessible for everyone?

Use the 'Automatically tag PDF' tool to add structure. Check the 'Reading Order' to ensure content flows correctly. Run the 'Accessibility Checker' to find and fix any remaining issues, such as missing alt text for images or incorrect headings.

Prepare Accessible Documents in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Prepare an accessible, large-print [file=PDF] of assessment results for [client=Samuel Ortiz]…+

Prepare an accessible, large-print [file=PDF] of assessment results for [client=Samuel Ortiz] and export it with accessibility tags so he can review using his screen reader at home tonight.

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

BImprove — “do it better”Make [client=Samuel Ortiz]'s assessment results truly accessible — create a large-print…+

Make [client=Samuel Ortiz]'s assessment results truly accessible — create a large-print [file=PDF] with clear headings, export it with full accessibility tags, run the accessibility checker, and include an alternative plain-text summary so his screen-reader and low-vision needs are both covered before sending tonight.

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.

TagsHidden labels in a PDF that tell screen readers what each part of the document is (like a heading or a paragraph).ExampleScreen readers use hidden tags to tell users whether a part of the document is a list item or a table.

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.

Who does this

3 roles

Accessibility SpecialistInstructional DesignerDocument Remediator

FAQ

about this task

Use the 'Automatically tag PDF' tool to add structure.
Check the 'Reading Order' to ensure content flows correctly.
Run the 'Accessibility Checker' to find and fix any remaining issues, such as missing alt text for images or incorrect headings.

PDF/UA is a specific standard just for PDF documents, making sure they are structured correctly for accessibility. WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is a broader set of guidelines for all kinds of digital content, not just PDFs. Many regulated jobs need documents to meet both standards to be fully accessible. WCAG focuses on the user experience, while PDF/UA focuses on the technical structure of the PDF.

Fixing an old PDF that was never tagged can take a lot of time. This is because you have to manually add all the tags and check the reading order. It is much easier to make documents accessible from the start, often in the program where they were created, like Microsoft Word, before saving them as a PDF.

It is always best to fix accessibility issues in the original document (like a Word file) before you save it as a PDF. When you make the source document accessible, the PDF export will usually keep those accessibility features. This saves a lot of time and effort compared to fixing problems after the PDF is already created, which can be much harder and more time-consuming.

Alt text is a short text description for an image. It is important for PDF accessibility because people who cannot see the image (for example, if they are using a screen reader) will hear the alt text. This helps them understand what the image is about and get the full meaning of the document.

Prepare Accessible Documents

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Other guides