Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker: How to Check Accessibility in PDF

In today’s digital-first world, accessibility is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. For individuals with disabilities, navigating online content can be a significant challenge, especially when it comes to PDF documents. Whether it’s a report, an e-book, or a form, PDFs are a staple in our digital lives. But if they’re not designed with accessibility in mind, they can create barriers for users who rely on screen readers or other assistive technologies.

This is where Adobe Acrobat steps in. Adobe Acrobat is more than just a tool for creating and editing PDFs; it’s a powerful platform for making documents accessible to everyone. With its built-in accessibility tools, Acrobat ensures that your PDFs are compliant with accessibility standards, making them easier to navigate and understand for all users.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how to use Adobe Acrobat’s accessibility tools, including the Adobe accessibility checker, to create PDFs that are inclusive and user-friendly. We’ll also explore why accessibility matters, how to interpret the results of the accessibility checker, and practical steps to fix common issues. Let’s dive in!

Why Accessibility Matters in PDFs

Before we delve into the technical details, let’s take a moment to understand why accessibility is so important. According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people worldwide live with some form of disability. For many of these individuals, accessing digital content can be a frustrating experience if it’s not designed with accessibility in mind.

PDFs, in particular, pose unique challenges. Unlike web pages, which can be dynamically adjusted for accessibility, PDFs are static documents. If they’re not properly structured, they can be virtually unusable for people who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers.

By making your PDFs accessible, you’re not just complying with legal requirements like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)—you’re also ensuring that your content reaches the widest possible audience.

Overview of Accessibility Features in Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat offers a suite of accessibility features designed to make your PDFs more inclusive. Two of the most important tools are the Accessibility Checker and the tagging functionality.

Accessibility Checker

The Accessibility Checker is a built-in tool that scans your PDF for potential accessibility issues. It identifies problems like missing alt text for images, improper reading order, and insufficient color contrast. By running this tool, you can ensure your document meets accessibility standards such as WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and PDF/UA (Universal Accessibility).

Tagging Content for Screen Readers

Tags are the backbone of an accessible PDF. They provide a logical structure to the document, allowing screen readers to interpret and present the content in a meaningful way. Tags define elements like headings, paragraphs, images, and lists, ensuring that users with visual impairments can navigate the document seamlessly.

How to Run the Accessibility Checker

Running the Adobe Acrobat accessibility checker is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
2. Navigate to the Tools tab and select Accessibility.
3. Click on Accessibility Check.
4. In the Accessibility Checker options, choose the scope of the check (e.g., the entire document or specific pages).
5. Click Start Checking.

Once the scan is complete, the tool will generate a report highlighting any accessibility issues.

Interpreting the Results

The Accessibility Checker provides a detailed report categorizing issues into three levels:

• Errors: These are critical issues that must be fixed to ensure accessibility. Examples include missing alt text for images or untagged content.
• Warnings: These are potential problems that may affect accessibility, such as insufficient color contrast or unclear link text.
• Manual Checks: These are items that require human review, like logical reading order or meaningful document structure.

Understanding these results is crucial for making your PDF accessible. Each issue comes with a description and suggestions for remediation, making it easier to address the problems.

Adding and Editing Tags

Tags are essential for creating an accessible PDF. They define the structure of the document, enabling screen readers to interpret and present the content accurately.

Understanding Tags

Tags act as a roadmap for assistive technologies. They identify elements like headings, paragraphs, images, and lists, ensuring that users can navigate the document logically. Without proper tagging, a screen reader might read the content out of order, making it confusing or unusable.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding or Editing Tags

1. Open the Tags Panel: Go to View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panes > Tags.
2. Review Existing Tags: The Tags panel displays the document’s current tag structure. If the document is untagged, you’ll need to add tags manually.
3. Add Tags:
   • Select the content you want to tag (e.g., a heading or image).
   • Right-click and choose Create Tag.
   • Assign the appropriate tag type (e.g., <H1> for a main heading or <Figure> for an image).
4. Edit Tags:
   • To modify a tag, right-click it in the Tags panel and select Properties.
   • Update the tag type or attributes as needed.
5. Ensure Logical Reading Order: Use the Order Panel (View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panes > Order) to verify that the content flows logically.

Common Accessibility Issues and How to Fix Them

While the Accessibility Checker identifies issues, knowing how to fix them is equally important. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

1. Missing Alt Text for Images

• Issue: Images without alt text are inaccessible to screen readers.
• Solution: Add descriptive alt text to every image. In Adobe Acrobat, right-click the image, select Edit Alt Text, and enter a concise description.

2. Improper Reading Order

• Issue: Content may appear out of order for screen readers.
• Solution: Use the Order Panel to rearrange elements logically. Ensure headings, paragraphs, and lists follow a natural flow.

3. Insufficient Color Contrast

• Issue: Low contrast between text and background can make content hard to read.
• Solution: Use tools like the Color Contrast Analyzer to check and adjust colors for better readability.

4. Untagged Content

• Issue: Untagged content is inaccessible to screen readers.
• Solution: Use the Tags Panel to add tags to all elements, including headings, paragraphs, and lists.

Reviewing and Saving an Accessible PDF

Before finalizing your document, it’s essential to perform a thorough review. Double-check the tagging structure, reading order, and alt text for images. Once you’re satisfied, save the document in a compliant format.

1. Save As Accessible PDF: Go to File > Save As Other > Accessible PDF.
2. Verify Compliance: Use the Accessibility Checker again to ensure all issues have been resolved.

Conclusion

Creating accessible PDFs isn’t just about compliance – it’s about inclusivity. By using Adobe Acrobat’s accessibility tools, like the Adobe accessibility checker and tagging features, you can ensure that your documents are usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities.

Remember, accessibility is an ongoing process. Regularly check and update your PDFs to keep them compliant with the latest standards. And if you’re looking for a hassle-free way to ensure your documents are accessible, consider using tools like accessibledocs.ai to streamline the process.

Every small step you take toward accessibility makes a big difference. Let’s work together to create a more inclusive digital world – one PDF at a time.