How to create accessible Portable Document Format (PDF) documents that conform to the Revised 508 Standards.
Guidance
The resources in this section were developed by the Accessible Electronic Documents Community of Practice (AED COP).
Adobe Acrobat DC Portable Document Format (PDF)
- PDF Testing and Remediation Guide (MS Word, March 2019)
- PDF Testing Checklist (MS Word, June 2019)
Adobe Acrobat Pro (Older Versions)
- PDF Baseline Test Process (MS Word, September 2017)
- PDF Detailed Checklist (MS Word, September 2017)
- PDF Printable Checklist (MS Word, September 2017)
Training Videos
- Training Video Series: How to Test and Remediate PDFs for Accessibility (all videos audio described and open captioned)
- Module 0 - Introduction
- Module 1 - What is a PDF?
- Module 2 - Testing a PDF for Accessibility
- Module 3 - Remediating PDFs for Accessibility
- Module 4 - Converting Scanned Documents into Section 508 Conformant PDFs
Other Tips
- When generating PDF documents through conversion from another format, or through an automated tool, ensure the resulting PDF file is properly tagged to support accessibility.
- If using an authoring tool, make sure the tool is capable of generating accessible PDF documents that conform to PDF/UA (some do not).
Agency-Developed Guidance
The resources in this section were developed by Federal agencies, and shared here for your convenience. Note, much of this guidance predates the Revised 508 Standards.
- Resources for Developers and Document Authors - Guidance on how to develop and author accessible electronic content
- Making Files Accessible - Issues, testing, and remediation suggestions
Related Resources
- Accessibility for Teams - A ‘quick-start’ guide for embedding accessibility and inclusive design practices into your team’s workflow
- Create Accessible Digital Products
- Adobe Acrobat accessibility support
- Web Accessibility Tutorials and Presentations - Guidance from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
Reviewed/Updated: June 2019