What is a PDF Accessibility Checker?
What Does a PDF Accessibility Checker Look For?
- Are all elements properly tagged? Every part of the document, including tables, forms, and links, needs to be tagged correctly so screen readers can interpret them.
- Do images have alternative text? If an image carries important information, it should have a short description (alt text) that explains what it shows.
- Is the text searchable? A PDF that only has scanned images of text won’t be readable by screen readers. The checker ensures that the text can be selected, copied, and read aloud.
- Is there enough contrast between text and background? If the text blends into the background, it becomes hard to read. A good contrast ratio ensures clarity for everyone, including those with visual impairments.
How a PDF Accessibility Checker Works
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Upload Your Document
Start by securely uploading your PDF into PREP. The AI-powered tool will instantly scan your file and analyze its structure. It automatically detects elements like headings, tables, and images, applying relevant tags to improve accessibility.
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Review and Adjust
Once the document is processed, you can quickly review its structure using PREP’s easy-to-use interface. If needed, make adjustments to ensure that content is properly tagged and organized for screen readers and other assistive technologies.
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Get a Fully Accessible PDF
After reviewing, PREP takes care of the rest. It identifies any remaining issues, provides solutions, and applies the necessary fixes to make your document fully accessible. In just minutes, you’ll have a PDF that meets compliance standards and is ready for all users.
Want to learn more about checking a PDF for accessibility? Check out our blog here.
What are the Features to Look for in a PDF Accessibility Checker?
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Checking Against Specific Standards
Not all accessibility checkers test PDFs in the same way. Some use broad criteria instead of checking against specific accessibility standards, which can be a big problem. Different industries follow different guidelines, and your PDF must meet the exact rules that apply.
For example, in the U.S. healthcare industry, compliance is often based on HHS (Health and Human Services) standards, which are built from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). If an accessibility checker doesn’t allow you to specifically test for HHS compliance, it might miss certain requirements that are essential.
When selecting a checker, make sure it lets you choose specific, up-to-date accessibility standards instead of just running a basic scan. This ensures your document meets the exact rules needed for compliance.
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Manual Verification for Certain Issues
Some accessibility issues can be checked automatically—like whether an image has Alt text or if a heading structure exists. But there are other things a machine can’t judge properly, and that’s where manual verification becomes important.
For example, an automatic checker might confirm that an image has Alt text, but it won’t know if the description makes sense. If a picture of a palm tree has Alt text that says “jar of applesauce,” the machine might still mark it as “Passed” when, in reality, it’s incorrect.
A good accessibility checker should flag these cases for manual review instead of just assuming everything is fine. This ensures that details like Alt text descriptions, logical reading order, and meaningful link text are actually correct and useful.
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Checking Metadata and Document Properties
PDFs have background information, called metadata, that helps users understand the document before even opening it. This includes things like the title, language settings, and file name. While these details may seem minor, they play a big role in accessibility.
Some PDF checkers don’t pay much attention to metadata, but it’s important to check that the document has the right information. A missing or unclear title, for example, can make it hard for screen reader users to know what the document is about.
Metadata can be adjusted at any stage—either in the original document before it's converted to a PDF or during the remediation process. When choosing an accessibility checker, make sure it verifies metadata and document properties to ensure a fully accessible document.
Make PDF Accessibility Effortless with PREP
Struggling to ensure your PDFs meet accessibility standards? PREP simplifies the process with AI-powered auto-tagging, built-in compliance checks, and an intuitive cloud-based platform. Whether you’re an expert or just getting started, PREP helps you create fully accessible documents in minutes—saving time, reducing costs, and ensuring compliance with ADA, Section 508, EAA, and WCAG 2.2.