How to Fix PAC PDF Accessibility Tagging Errors for Section 508 Compliance
Question details
The user needs to resolve various PDF structure and tagging errors flagged by the PAC Accessibility Checker to achieve PDF/UA and Section 508 compliance.
- Product
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Evaluating and repairing a PDF document's structure to ensure it meets strict accessibility standards for screen readers and compliance checkers.
- Observed behavior
- PAC 1.3 reports multiple errors related to the hierarchy and definitions of Document, Reference, Note, Link, and Artifact tags, which disrupts compliance validation.
Ensure you are using PAC 3 or a newer PDF accessibility compliance checker, as PAC 1.3 is outdated and may flag incorrect or irrelevant structural errors.
Upgrade Checking Tools and Validate Contrast Separately
Use the latest compliance checking tools to prevent false positives generated by outdated software.
Older versions of accessibility checkers often flag structures that are standard in modern assistive technologies. Using up-to-date software ensures accurate compliance validation.
Replace PAC 1.3 with PAC 3 or a later version to evaluate your document against current PDF/UA compliance standards.
Open your PDF in Acrobat and run the built-in accessibility checker as an additional review layer to catch issues PAC might miss.
Use dedicated, objective tools like WebAIM's Contrast Checker or the free Colour Contrast Analyser (CCAe) to test color contrast, rather than relying solely on automated PDF checkers.
Fix Document, Link, and Reference Tag Hierarchies
Resolve structural tagging errors by ensuring that all tags fall under a root document tag and inline-level tags are properly nested.
Remove Undefined Artifact Tags
Delete <Artifact> tags generated from decorative images or tables, as they are not defined in the current PDF/UA-1 standard.
Try WPS Office as a Seamless Microsoft Office Alternative
Complex PDF/UA tagging errors are often generated during the Word-to-PDF conversion process in Microsoft Office. Consider using WPS Office as a free, lightweight, and user-friendly alternative to create clean, well-formatted documents that export beautifully to PDF.
- 1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Existing Documents: Open your Microsoft Word documents directly in WPS Writer with perfect formatting preservation.
- 3. Export to Clean PDF: Use the built-in 'Export to PDF' feature to generate clean, high-quality PDF files easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is PAC 1.3 flagging correct PDF tags as errors?
PAC 1.3 is an outdated compliance checker. It often flags tags and structures that are completely acceptable or standard in modern assistive technologies. Upgrading to PAC 3 or a newer checking tool will provide an accurate PDF/UA compliance validation.
Should I use the <Artifact> tag for decorative images in PDFs?
No. The <Artifact> tag is not part of the current PDF/UA-1 standard. If included, modern screen readers may literally announce the word 'artifact', confusing the end-user. It is best practice to remove these tags entirely via your PDF editor's Content panel.
How should <Link>, <Note>, and <Reference> tags be properly structured?
These are considered inline-level tags. Best practice requires that they be nested inside a block-level tag like <P> (Paragraph). Furthermore, a <Link> tag should always contain its child <Link-OBJR> tag to function properly for screen readers.
What is the best tool for checking PDF color contrast?
Instead of relying exclusively on PDF accessibility checkers which can be inconsistent, you should use a dedicated, objective contrast tool like WebAIM's Contrast Checker or the free Colour Contrast Analyser (CCAe).
