◆ Acrobat · protect

Tag For Accessibility

Prepare an accessible version of the [document=restoration report] so community groups using screen readers can review…

2ready prompts
3real tasks
3roles
See the prompt↓More protect workflows

When to use it

real situations

AI prompts

2 ways to ask · copy any one
AExecute — “help me do it”Prepare an accessible version of the [document=restoration report] so community groups using…+
Prepare an accessible version of the [document=restoration report] so community groups using screen readers can review it, verify accessibility tags, and share the file with the [contact=community liaison] by [deadline=Friday].
when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.
BImprove — “do it better”Before sharing with the [contact=community liaison], run accessibility verification, add clear…+
Before sharing with the [contact=community liaison], run accessibility verification, add clear headings, alt text for all maps and photos, and include a one-page guide on using the [document] with common screen readers so community groups can navigate without asking for help.
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. 1

    Open the PDF document you want to check for accessibility.

  2. 2

    Click the Tools tab at the top of the Acrobat window.

  3. 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. 4

    In the Accessibility tools pane, click Full Check.

  5. 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. 6

    Review the results displayed in the Accessibility Checker panel on the left side of the screen.

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
TagA tag is a label in a PDF that tells screen readers what each part is, like a heading or a list.ExampleA screen reader uses the 'heading' tag to announce the title of a section.
Accessibility CheckerA tool that checks if your document is easy for all people, including those with disabilities, to use.ExampleRunning the Accessibility Checker helped identify images missing alternative text descriptions.
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.

The real tasks

all 3, listed here
Prepare an accessible report version so community groups with screen readers can review our restoration findings.
Prepare a clean, accessible version of a research article with proper tags so it meets publisher accessibility standards.
Convert dozens of legacy Word training guides into accessible, tagged documents for learners with disabilities.

Who does this

3 roles
Accessibility SpecialistInstructional DesignerDocument Remediator

FAQ

about this task
  1. Open your PDF in Acrobat Pro.
  2. Go to All tools and pick Prepare for accessibility.
  3. Click Automatically tag PDF.
  4. Check and fix the tags for accuracy.

Tagging a PDF adds information that helps assistive technology, like screen readers, understand the structure and content of the document. This makes it possible for people with disabilities to read and navigate the PDF. Without tags, a PDF is just a picture of the text for many users.

  • Auto-Tag PDF works on scanned PDFs, but only if the text is recognized (OCR).
  • If the scan is blurry, OCR may not find all the words, so tags might be wrong or missing.
  • Check the tagged PDF carefully and fix any problems by hand after tagging.

Fixing the source file, like a Word document, before making a PDF is better because it keeps the structure and accessibility features. When you export from an accessible source, the PDF will already have correct tags, headings, and alt text. Remediating a PDF after it is made takes more time and is harder to get right.

PDF/UAWCAG
PDF-specific standardWorks for all digital content
Focuses on PDF structure and tagsFocuses on general accessibility principles
Needed for some legal requirementsOften required for websites and digital documents
Checks things like reading order, tags, and alt text in PDFsCovers color contrast, navigation, and more

Sources

where this comes from

Adobe help

Other guides

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