Adobe Acrobat Reader Accessibility: Reading Oder

Overview

Reading Order defines the logical sequence in which text, images, and tables are read by screen readers and assistive technologies. It ensures that content, especially in complex, multi-column, or non-linear layouts is presented in a meaningful way. 

Considerations

• Accessibility Essential: A proper reading order is critical for users with visual impairments who really on-screen reader to interprets PDF content.
• Tags vs Reading Order: The Reading Order panel shows the structural flow, the true reading order is determined by the PDF's tags, which tell screen readers how to interpret the content structure. 
• Remediation Workflow: Check your Reading Order structure after setting the tags of the document, as the reading order is primarily determined by the sequence of elements in the Tags panel. 

Reading Order Video Demonstration

Verifying Reading Order

1. Open Reading Order Pane
   
   
2. Expand all drop-downs, click each element in the pane. The corresponding content should highlight in blue
   
   
3. Verify Order, rearranging as needed. Elements should follow a logical reading order of left-to-right, top-to-bottom.

Editing Reading Order

1. Open Reading Order Tool
2. Select the element that in located incorrectly
3. Drag and drop it on the in the correct place. There will be a horizontal line showing where the content will now be placed.
   
   
   
   

Fix Reading Order 

This tool allows you to visually select content, tag it, and drag-and-drop elements in the "Order Panel" to fix the sequence in which screen readers read the PDF.

1. Select Prepare for Accessibility and click Fix Reading Order
   
   
   
   
2. Click and drag to outline the content that you'd like to add or split apart. 
   
   
3. Release and the content should be outlined in purple
   
   
   
   
4. Select the proper tag type in the Reading Order dialog box to ensure proper structure
   
   
   
   
   
5. The content should then be labeled or split apart.