Recommended workflow for creating accessible PDFs with Acrobat

Question

We are looking to audit and adapt a PDF for one of our public sector clients to make it accessible, based on the new UK law that requires public sectors to meet WCAG 2.1 guidelines. I noticed on your website the PDF accessibility tool only goes to WCAG 2.0 which is the previous version. When looking into the differences between these versions, it appears the updates to 2.1 could be relevant to websites only, and not applicable to PDF's - are we right in thinking that? Can you confirm your accessibility guidelines and checker will meet the standards that are to be in place from 23 September 2020?

Any help would be much appreciated.

BaniVerma · Accepted Answer

Hi all,Is Acrobat's Accessibility Check enough for WCAG 2.1 compliance?No. Acrobat's Accessibility Check is documented as verifying conformance against PDF/UA and WCAG 2.0. Adobe's published rule-mapping table for the checker is built on WCAG 2.0 success criteria. Passing the checker alone doesn't guarantee WCAG 2.1 compliance or conformance with other accessibility requirements.Accessibility Check helps identify and remediate accessibility issues while supporting the creation of PDFs that align with accessibility standards such as PDF/UA and WCAG. Some accessibility requirements require manual evaluation because they can't be determined automatically.Referenceshttps://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/creating-accessible-pdfs.htmlhttps://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.htmlWhat is the recommended workflow for creating accessible PDFs?Adobe recommends incorporating accessibility throughout the document creation process.Workflow stepPurposeCreate an accessible source documentBuild accessibility into the document before converting it to PDF.Convert to PDFPreserve the document structure in PDF format.Run Accessibility CheckIdentify and remediate common accessibility issues, documented against PDF/UA and WCAG 2.0.Perform manual accessibility reviewVerify items that require human judgment, such as meaningful alternative text, reading order, and document structure.Validate with the PDF/UA Preflight profile (Acrobat Pro, when required)Verify technical conformance with the PDF/UA standard.Referenceshttps://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/creating-accessible-pdfs.htmlhttps://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.htmlWhy is manual accessibility review still required?Some accessibility requirements can't be evaluated automatically.For example, automated tools can't determine whether alternative text is meaningful, whether the reading order is appropriate, or whether headings, tables, and other document structures accurately communicate the intended content.Adobe recommends combining Accessibility Check with manual review as part of an accessible PDF workflow.Reference:https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.htmlWhen should I validate with the PDF/UA Preflight profile?If your workflow or organization requires PDF/UA conformance, Acrobat Pro includes a PDF/UA Preflight profile that runs syntax-level checks for technical conformance with the PDF/UA standard.The PDF/UA Preflight profile complements Accessibility Check. Accessibility Check helps identify and remediate accessibility issues throughout the document, while PDF/UA Preflight validates technical, syntax-level conformance with the PDF/UA specification. Because it checks syntax only, it doesn't confirm full PDF/UA compliance on its own.Reference:https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.htmlThanks,^BS

maxwithdax · Answer

Passing the Adobe Acrobat Checker is not a validation of meeting WCAG (2.0 or 2.1). The Acrobat Checker is a good place to start but meeting EN 301-549 standards will always be a series of automated checks and manual review. As a good practice you start with accessibility in the source doc. Then you check with Acrobat and fix the errors then you should use a checker like PAC 2021 that takes a much deeper look at the technical compliance of the code behind your PDF and will give you the best response to the question "Is my document accessible?" Let me know if you have more questions.

Workflow step	Purpose
Create an accessible source document	Build accessibility into the document before converting it to PDF.
Convert to PDF	Preserve the document structure in PDF format.
Run Accessibility Check	Identify and remediate common accessibility issues, documented against PDF/UA and WCAG 2.0.
Perform manual accessibility review	Verify items that require human judgment, such as meaningful alternative text, reading order, and document structure.
Validate with the PDF/UA Preflight profile (Acrobat Pro, when required)	Verify technical conformance with the PDF/UA standard.

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