How to Remediate PDF Accessibility Issues Using Alternative Software
Question details
Organizations need alternative software solutions to test and remediate PDF documents for accessibility compliance.
- Product
- PDF Remediation Software
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to ensure PDF documents comply with accessibility standards like PDF/UA-1 when primary enterprise tools are unavailable.
- Observed behavior
- Users encounter regional or commercial sales restrictions when trying to purchase CommonLook, preventing them from accessing necessary PDF remediation tools.
Before attempting to manually remediate a flat PDF file, check if you have access to the original source document (such as Word or PowerPoint), as making accessibility adjustments there is significantly easier and more effective.
Use Adobe Acrobat Pro for PDF Remediation
Adobe Acrobat Pro provides built-in accessibility checkers and remediation tools to help documents comply with PDF/UA-1 standards.
While specific enterprise tools may have purchasing restrictions, standard professional PDF editors like Adobe Acrobat Pro offer comprehensive features to test, check, and fix accessibility tags.
Like all remediation software, it requires manual verification of reading orders and alternative text, but it is a highly viable alternative to dedicated remediation suites.
Launch Adobe Acrobat Pro, open your PDF document, and select 'Tools' from the top menu. Scroll down and click on 'Accessibility' to open the tool panel.
In the Accessibility panel on the right, click 'Accessibility Check' (or Full Check). Select your checking options and click 'Start Checking' to generate an accessibility report.
Review the results in the Accessibility Checker panel on the left. Right-click any failed items and select 'Fix' or 'Explain' to manually resolve reading order, tagging, or contrast errors.
Create Accessible PDFs Directly from Source Applications
The most efficient way to achieve accessible PDFs is to structure the document correctly in the original authoring application before exporting.
Create and Export Structured PDFs with WPS Office
To reduce the need for complicated PDF remediation software, use WPS Office to create perfectly structured source documents. WPS Office makes it simple to format documents accessibly and export them directly to PDF while maintaining layout and structure.
- 1. Format Your Content: Open WPS Writer and use the Home tab to apply standard Heading styles to organize your document logically.
- 2. Insert Alt Text: Right-click any images inserted into your document, click 'Picture Tools', and add alternative text descriptions.
- 3. Convert to PDF: Click the 'Menu' button, hover over 'Export to PDF', and save your document to instantly generate a well-structured PDF file.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PDF/UA-1 compliance mean?
PDF/UA-1 (Universal Accessibility) is an ISO standard that outlines the technical requirements for PDF documents to ensure they are fully accessible to people with disabilities using assistive technologies like screen readers.
Why is it better to fix accessibility in the source document?
Adding accessibility tags, reading order, and alternative text in the authoring tool (like Word or PowerPoint) is much faster and more accurate than attempting to retroactively apply structure to a flat, exported PDF file using remediation software.
Can Adobe Acrobat Pro completely replace dedicated remediation software?
Yes, Adobe Acrobat Pro includes a robust set of accessibility checking and tagging tools that can address most PDF/UA-1 compliance requirements, making it a strong alternative if dedicated software like CommonLook is unavailable.
