Testing and Remediating PDFs: Ensuring Accessibility Compliance

Why Testing and Remediation Matter

Creating an accessible PDF is only part of the process. Testing and, when necessary, remediating your PDFs ensure that all elements meet accessibility standards and provide an inclusive experience for all users. Whether you’re verifying a newly created document or fixing an existing PDF, testing and remediation are critical steps to identify and address issues like missing tags, incorrect reading order or poor color contrast.

Steps for Testing PDF Accessibility

  • Use an Accessibility Checker
    • Adobe Acrobat Pro includes a built-in Accessibility Checker that identifies many common issues. Open your PDF in Acrobat Pro.
    • Go to Tools > Accessibility > Full Check.
    • Review the report for errors, such as missing alt text, tagging issues or reading order problems.
  • Manually Inspect the Tags Panel
    • Open the Tags Panel (View > Show/Hide > Navigation Panes > Tags) to verify that all content is properly tagged.
    • Ensure headings, lists, paragraphs and tables have appropriate tags and that the structure matches the content’s hierarchy.
  • Check the Reading Order
    • Use the Reading Order Tool (Tools > Accessibility > Reading Order) to ensure content flows logically for screen readers.
    • Rearrange elements if the order is incorrect or confusing.
  • Test with a Screen Reader
  • Verify Color Contrast
    • Use tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker or Adobe Acrobat’s Accessibility Checker to ensure text and graphics meet WCAG contrast ratios.

Remediating Common PDF Accessibility Issues

  • Adding Missing Tags
    • Use Adobe Acrobat Pro to manually tag untagged elements:
      • Open the Tags Panel, right-click, and select New Tag.
      • Assign the appropriate tag type (e.g., Heading 1, Paragraph, List).
  • Fixing Reading Order
    • Adjust the reading order with the Reading Order Tool:
      • Drag and drop elements to their correct sequence.
      • Group related elements (e.g., text and images) to ensure logical navigation.
  • Adding Alternative Text
    • Right-click on an image or graphic in the Tags Panel and select Properties.
    • Enter concise, descriptive alt text that communicates the image’s purpose.
  • Correcting Table Structure
    • Use the Table Editor in Acrobat to define row and column headers:
      • Select a table element in the Tags Panel.
      • Right-click and choose Table Editor to assign header cells and data cells.
  • Improving Color Contrast
    • If color contrast is insufficient, edit the original document to adjust colors before re-exporting to PDF.
    • Alternatively, use Adobe Acrobat to add overlays or adjust colors where possible.
  • Marking Decorative Elements
    • Tag purely decorative images or graphics as Artifacts so they are ignored by screen readers:
      • Right-click the element in the Tags Panel and choose Background/Artifact.

Tools for Testing and Remediation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Skipping the Testing Phase: Failing to test your PDF can leave critical accessibility issues undetected.
  • Not Manually Testing: Relying solely on an automated checker without manual review can miss essential issues like reading order or alt text quality.
  • Neglecting Color Contrast: Contrast issues often go unnoticed without deliberate testing.
  • Overlooking Tables: Failing to structure tables correctly makes them inaccessible for screen reader users.

Final Tips for Testing and Remediation

  • Test Early and Often: Run accessibility checks throughout the document creation process to catch issues before exporting to PDF.
  • Keep It Simple: Simplify layouts, minimize unnecessary elements and focus on clear structure to reduce remediation needs.
  • Seek Professional Help if Needed: If remediation feels overwhelming, consider using professional PDF remediation services to ensure compliance.

Testing and remediating your PDFs ensure they are accessible, inclusive and aligned with Elon University’s commitment to equity and accessibility. By following these guidelines, you create documents that everyone can use effectively.