How to Tag Wildcards and Unusual Words in PDF for Accessibility
Question details
The user needs to know how to properly tag wildcard expressions, acronyms, and unusual words in a PDF document so that screen readers can pronounce or interpret them correctly.
- Product
- PDF Editor
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing a PDF document's accessibility tags to ensure compliance and proper readability for users relying on screen reading software.
- Observed behavior
- Screen readers mispronounce or skip wildcard expressions like 'negligen!' or 'wom*n' if they are not explicitly tagged with readable text attributes.
Ensure you have access to a PDF editor with advanced accessibility and tagging features, and identify all unusual terms or wildcards in your document that require pronunciation adjustments.
Use a Span Tag with Actual Text
Wrap the unusual word in a Span tag and apply Actual Text to dictate exactly how a screen reader should read the word.
A <Span> tag isolates a specific portion of text without changing its structural meaning in the document.
By applying 'Actual Text' to this tag, you replace the confusing symbols with a phonetically correct spelling exclusively for the screen reader.
Launch your PDF editor and open the Accessibility tools. Select the 'Tags' pane to view the document's structure tree.
Highlight the specific text containing the wildcard or unusual word. In the Tags pane, create a new tag and define it as a <Span> tag around your selection.
Right-click the newly created <Span> tag in the tree and select 'Properties' from the context menu.
In the Object Properties dialog, locate the 'Actual Text' field. Type in the exact word or phonetic spelling you want the screen reader to pronounce, then click 'Close' to save.
Apply Expansion Text to Abbreviations
Use expansion text properties on abbreviations or acronyms to ensure screen readers read the full phrase instead of spelling out individual letters.
Enhance PDF Documents with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a comprehensive suite of PDF tools allowing you to easily edit text, adjust formatting, and optimize your documents for readability.
- 1. Open PDF File: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document.
- 2. Access Edit Mode: Navigate to the 'Edit' tab located on the top ribbon.
- 3. Modify Text: Click 'Edit Text' to access and modify document contents, replacing complex symbols with readable words if tagging is unavailable.
- 4. Save Changes: Click 'Save' or press Ctrl+S to apply your changes permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Span tag in PDF accessibility?
A Span tag (<Span>) is an inline tag used to group text or elements without applying any structural block meaning. It is commonly used to apply specific accessibility properties, like Actual Text or language changes, to a single word or phrase.
What is the difference between Actual Text and Expansion Text?
Actual Text replaces the tagged content entirely for the screen reader, which is ideal for symbols or stylized words. Expansion Text provides the full, expanded form of an abbreviation or acronym without replacing the underlying text structure.
Why do screen readers struggle with wildcard expressions?
Screen readers rely on standard phonetic rules. Wildcard characters like asterisks (*) or exclamation marks (!) disrupt these rules, causing the software to either spell out the word letter-by-letter, skip the symbol, or mispronounce the entire expression.
Can I apply Actual Text to an entire paragraph?
While it is technically possible, it is not recommended. Actual Text should only be applied to specific elements, like a <Span> or <Figure>, to correct isolated pronunciation issues without overriding the overall document flow and structural navigation.
