By Genesis AI Services · April 21, 2026 · 8 min read · Documents
Accessible PDF Requirements
The most important thing to know: A scanned PDF (image of a document) is completely inaccessible to screen readers. It has zero text — just pixels. Any PDF that isn't tagged is also essentially inaccessible. Both are common triggers for ADA complaints.
PDFs must meet WCAG 2.1 AA requirements just like web pages. For Section 508, the PDF/UA (ISO 14289) standard applies. Most accessibility requirements for PDFs map directly to WCAG.
The #1 Problem: Scanned PDFs
Scanned PDFs are inaccessible. If someone took a paper document, scanned it as an image, and saved it as PDF — it is a picture. Screen readers read text, not images. A screen reader user trying to access a scanned menu, report, or form gets: nothing.
Best: Replace the PDF with an accessible HTML page
Good: Run OCR on the scanned PDF (Adobe Acrobat, ABBYY FineReader) and then tag it
Minimal: Provide the same information in an accessible format (HTML, accessible Word doc) alongside the PDF
PDF Accessibility Requirements Checklist
PDF is a tagged PDF (not a scanned image or untagged document)
Document language is set (File > Properties > Advanced > Language)
Document title is set (File > Properties > Description > Title)
Reading order matches the visual/logical order of content
All headings are tagged as H1, H2, H3 (not just styled text)
All images have alt text descriptions
Decorative images are marked as Artifact (skipped by screen readers)
Tables use proper table tag structure with header cells (TH) and data cells (TD)
Form fields have visible, programmatic labels
Form field tab order follows logical reading order
All hyperlinks have descriptive text (not "click here")
Color contrast meets 4.5:1 for normal text
Document is not encrypted in a way that prevents AT access
PDF passes the Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker (or PAC 3)
How to Create Accessible PDFs
From Microsoft Word
Word is the most accessible starting point if you set it up correctly:
Use Word's built-in heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2) — not manual bold/size formatting
Add alt text to all images (right-click image > Edit Alt Text)
Use proper list styles (not manual hyphen indents)
When exporting: File > Save As > PDF, then in Options check "Document structure tags for accessibility"
Run the Accessibility Checker in Word before exporting (Review > Check Accessibility)
From Adobe InDesign
Apply paragraph styles that map to PDF tags (Heading 1 → H1, Body → P)
Set alt text on all images (Object > Object Export Options)
Set correct reading order in Articles panel
Export with Create Tagged PDF checked
Remediation in Adobe Acrobat Pro
If you have an existing untagged or poorly tagged PDF:
Tools > Accessibility > Autotag Document (starting point only)
Tools > Accessibility > Reading Order — review and fix the tag structure
Correct any heading levels in the Tags panel
Add alt text to images via the Tags panel or right-click
Tools > Accessibility > Full Check — run and fix all reported issues
Free Testing Tools
PAC 3 / PAC 2021 — free PDF accessibility checker (Windows), tests against PDF/UA and WCAG
Adobe Acrobat Reader — enable Read Out Loud to test how the PDF sounds to a screen reader user
Adobe Acrobat Pro — built-in Accessibility Checker (paid, but most organizations have it)
CommonLook PDF Validator — detailed Section 508 and WCAG testing
When to Replace PDFs With HTML
PDFs have inherent accessibility challenges. For content that's frequently accessed, frequently updated, or critical for task completion, HTML is almost always more accessible:
Restaurant menus → HTML menu page
Event programs → HTML page
Application forms → HTML web form
Policy documents → HTML pages with proper headings and navigation
Annual reports → HTML with accessible charts and data tables
Reserve PDFs for content that genuinely benefits from print fidelity: formal legal documents, contracts, official certificates.
Check Your Website's Accessibility
Accessalyze scans your web pages for WCAG violations. For PDF-specific testing, pair it with PAC 3.
