How to Perform a Section 508 Accessibility Check in Acrobat DC
Question details
The user wants to know if Acrobat DC provides a dedicated accessibility check specifically limited to Section 508 compliance, similar to the older Acrobat X Pro feature, and how to execute it.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Evaluating a PDF document to ensure it complies strictly with Section 508 accessibility guidelines.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat DC does not offer a standalone Section 508-only check. Users must use the general accessibility checker and manually align the results with Section 508 criteria.
Ensure you have Adobe Acrobat DC installed and the PDF document you need to evaluate is open. Since the tool requires manual review, familiarize yourself with current Section 508 compliance standards before proceeding.
Run the Full Accessibility Check and Verify Manually
Since Acrobat DC replaced the dedicated Section 508 check with a broader WCAG 2.0 based checker, you must run a full check and manually verify the results against Section 508 standards.
Adobe Acrobat DC streamlined its accessibility tools to align with modern, comprehensive standards like WCAG 2.0 and PDF/UA. While the specific 'Section 508' checkbox is gone, the current Full Check tool covers all those requirements and more. You will need to filter the results to determine what specifically applies to your Section 508 compliance goals.
Launch your PDF in Acrobat DC. Navigate to the 'Tools' tab at the top of the window, scroll down to the 'Protect & Standardize' section, and select 'Accessibility'. If it is not listed, use the search bar to find and add it.
In the secondary toolbar that appears on the right side of the screen, click on 'Accessibility Check' (labeled as 'Full Check' in some older DC versions).
The Accessibility Checker Options dialog box will appear. Under the 'Category' drop-down menu, select 'Document'. Ensure all relevant checking options, such as 'Create accessibility report', are checked.
Click the 'Start Checking' button. An Accessibility Checker panel will open on the left side of the screen, displaying passed, failed, and needs-manual-check items. You must manually cross-reference these findings with Section 508 compliance rules to ensure your document meets the necessary legal standards.
Prepare Section 508 Compliant Documents using WPS Office
While Acrobat DC handles the final accessibility check, generating a Section 508 compliant PDF starts with the source document. Use WPS Office to structure your documents properly with headings, alt-text, and logical tags before exporting them to PDF.
- 1. Apply Heading Styles: Open your source document in WPS Writer and use the built-in Styles pane to apply H1, H2, and H3 formatting. This establishes a logical reading hierarchy.
- 2. Add Alternative Text to Images: Right-click any image in your document, select 'Picture', and provide a descriptive summary in the Alternative Text field so screen readers can interpret the visual.
- 3. Format Tables Correctly: Ensure all data tables have a designated header row. Avoid merging or splitting cells unnecessarily, as this disrupts the reading order for assistive technologies.
- 4. Export to PDF: Go to 'Menu' and select 'Export to PDF'. WPS Office will convert your document while maintaining the text structures needed to pass PDF accessibility checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the dedicated Section 508 check removed in Acrobat DC?
Adobe updated the Accessibility Checker in Acrobat DC to focus primarily on WCAG 2.0 and PDF/UA standards. Because these modern standards encompass and often exceed Section 508 requirements, Adobe merged the checking process into a single, comprehensive Full Check tool.
Can a PDF pass the Acrobat Accessibility Check but still fail Section 508 compliance?
Yes. Automated checkers verify structural tags and programmatic elements. However, requirements like logical reading order, sufficient color contrast, and meaningful alt-text require manual review to guarantee full Section 508 compliance.
How do I fix accessibility errors found in Acrobat DC?
In the Accessibility Checker panel on the left, right-click any item marked as 'Failed' and select 'Fix'. Acrobat will either automatically resolve the issue or prompt you with a dialog box to manually enter the missing information, such as alternative text for an image.
Does WPS Office support creating accessible PDFs?
Yes. When creating documents in WPS Writer or WPS Presentation, you can build a strong accessibility foundation by applying proper heading styles, formatting tables cleanly, and adding alt-text before exporting the file to PDF format.
