Adobe Acrobat Reader Accessibility: Accessibility Checker

Overview

Acrobat features a built-in Accessibility Checker designed to scan PDF files for common accessibility issues, such as missing tags, alternative text for images, and improper reading order. 

Considerations

• Limitations: While helpful, the checker cannot fully verify everything. Logical reading order, color contrast, and meaningful alternative text requires a manual review.

Accessibility Checker Video Demonstration

How to Use the Accessibility Checker

1. Select Prepare for Accessibility 
   
   
2. Select Check for Accessibility
   
   
3. Select or unselect the desired elements you'd like to check for
4. Click Start Checking
   
   

Types of Flags

• Failed : The PDF document contains issues preventing people with disabilities from reading or navigating it effectively.
  • To resolve these issues
    • Right click and select fix.
• Needs Manual Check : The accessibility checker cannot determine if specific elements meet accessibility standards, requiring human inspection to verify compliance. It indicates that while the tool found an element, it cannot verify its quality or connect, particularly for Reading Order and Color Contrast
• Skipped : Generally refers to a voluntarily skipped check with when using the Check for Accessibility tool