ACCESSIBILITY
January 10, 2025 • 15 min read
PDF/UA (ISO 14289) is the international standard for accessible PDF documents, ensuring they can be properly read by assistive technologies such as screen readers. Combined with WCAG 2.1 guidelines, PDF/UA compliance is increasingly required for government, education, and enterprise documents.
What is PDF/UA?
PDF/UA stands for “PDF Universal Accessibility.” It defines a set of technical requirements that make PDF content accessible to people using assistive technology, including:
- Proper document structure (tags) that convey reading order and hierarchy
- Alternative text for images and non-text content
- Properly described tables, lists, and headings
- Accessible forms with labeled fields
- Correct language and metadata specification
PDF/UA Compliance Checklist
The PDF must have a descriptive title set in its metadata, not just a filename.
All content must be tagged with proper structural elements (headings, paragraphs, lists, tables).
The logical reading order must match the visual layout.
All images, charts, and non-text elements need descriptive alt text.
Document and any language changes within it must be properly tagged.
Form fields must have labels and proper tab order.
Text must meet minimum contrast ratios against backgrounds.
Information conveyed by color must also be available through another means.
WCAG 2.1 Criteria Relevant to PDFs
Since PDF/UA aligns closely with WCAG principles, these key criteria apply directly:
- 1.1.1 Non-text Content: All images need text alternatives
- 1.3.1 Info and Relationships: Structure must be programmatically determinable
- 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum): Text contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1
- 2.4.2 Page Titled: Documents need descriptive titles
- 3.1.1 Language of Page: Primary language must be identified
Testing Methods
- Automated checkers: Tools like Adobe Acrobat’s Accessibility Checker or PAC (PDF Accessibility Checker) scan for common structural issues
- Screen reader testing: Manually test with NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver to verify the reading experience
- Tab order testing: For interactive forms, verify tab order follows a logical sequence
- Our tool: Use our free PDF Accessibility Checker to scan your documents
Common Accessibility Issues
- Scanned documents with no underlying text layer (images of text are not accessible)
- Missing or incorrect heading hierarchy
- Tables without proper header associations
- Decorative images without being marked as artifacts
- Forms with unlabeled fields
Free Tools for PDF Accessibility
Making a PDF accessible doesn’t require expensive software. Our free accessibility checker can scan your documents and highlight structural issues that need fixing.
Creating Accessible Source Documents
The easiest path to an accessible PDF is starting with an accessible source document:
- Use proper heading styles in Word/Google Docs rather than just bold/large text
- Add alt text to images before exporting
- Use built-in list and table features rather than manual formatting
- Run the accessibility checker built into your word processor before exporting to PDF
Conclusion
PDF/UA compliance ensures your documents are usable by everyone, including people relying on assistive technology. With growing legal requirements around digital accessibility, building accessible PDFs from the start saves significant rework later.
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