PDF Accessibility

Problem: I'm looking for information on PDFs and accessibility?

Solution: You're in the right spot. See the links below for information on PDF accessibility.

Testing PDFs for Accessibility

PDF documents and forms need accessibility testing to ensure they are usable for assistive technology users. Adobe Acrobat Pro has built in accessibility evaluation tools that can make it easy to identify accessibility issues. And in most cases, it provides automated fixing. The issues that are not automatically fixed, Adobe provides documentation on how to fix the issues.

Testing PDFs and PDF Forms for accessibility

Adobe Acrobat Pro provides tools to test and fix accessibility documents. This a process called remediation. Remediation is done to PDF documents after the document is created.

Although remediation is effective at fixing accessibility issues in PDFs, the real solution is to create the PDF document in such a way that includes accessibility traits without needing remediation.

Online PDF forms do not have the luxury of remediation tools to fix the forms after creation. Instead, testers must perform manual testing using screen readers (JAWS, NVDA) and use automated tools (WAVE, aXe) designed to test online websites and identify accessibility issues.

For instructions on how to use the Adobe Accessibility Checker, follow the instructions here: Adobe: The Make Accessible Action Wizard Accessibility Checker

PDF Remediation

Adobe provides excellent documentation on how to use the built in accessibility tools. See the links below for instructions on how to use the accessibility tools for identifying accessibility issues on PDFs.

For PDF remediation, follow the instructions provided by Adobe here: Create and verify PDF accessibility (Acrobat Pro)

DHS Learning Center offers a course on PDF remediation.
Class Data
Course Code: AC5122.2
Class Name: ACCESSIBILITY BASICS FOR ADOBE PDF
Course Description
Class content includes a live demonstration on how to fix common accessibility errors in PDFs.

Creating Accessible PDFs from Word

The link below provides guidance on how to create accessible PDFs from Word.

Creating Accessible PDF Forms using InDesign

The links below provide guidance on how to create accessible forms using Adobe InDesign.