Overview
This guide provides faculty with step-by-step instructions and best practices for remediating scanned, image-based PDFs. It walks you through the entire process, from converting inaccessible images into usable, structured documents to verifying full compliance with accessibility standards.
Is your PDF…
- Made from a scan or image (no selectable/searchable text).
- In need of OCR and significant cleanup.
These PDFs are common from design tools that export as an image to PDFs.
Use the steps below to remediate your PDF.
Steps to Remediate Your PDF
Step 1: Start Here
Goal: Ensure your PDF is viewable, text is searchable, and a source file is located (if available).
- Check if the document is unlocked and ready for editing.
- Use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to convert the image into readable text.
- Review output to ensure it is accurate and understandable.
End Result: PDF is minimally usable—ready for review but not accessible.
Step 2: Building Blocks
Goal: Start tagging and structuring the content so assistive technology can begin to interpret it.
- If OCR was successful and text is readable, begin adding tags.
- Incorporate the Six Essentials of Accessibility.
- If OCR fails or text is still unreadable, recreate digitally.
- Incorporate the Six Essentials of Accessibility.
- Export as tagged PDF.
End Result: Basic accessibility elements are added or confirmed.
Step 3: Reviewed for Accessibility
Goal: Use tools like Acrobat’s Accessibility Checker and manual checks (without a screen reader) to confirm logical reading flow.
- Check the reading order by walking the tags tree.
- Confirm the following:
- Headings follow a clear structure (e.g., H1 → H2 → H3).
- Tables are properly tagged and ordered.
- Confirm the following:
- Confirm image descriptions are meaningful.
- Use Acrobat’s Accessibility Checker and fix flagged issues.
End Result: PDF has structure and passes basic accessibility checks.
Step 4: Verified Accessible
Goal: Confirm with advanced tools (like PAC) that your PDF works well with assistive technology. Tool: PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC) is only available on PCs.
- Use PAC for a deeper accessibility check.
- Use PAC’s visual reports to guide you—no screen reader needed.
End Result: PDF is fully accessible and WCAG-compliant.
Resources
For more, review these additional resources:
Support
For support, email [email protected]
