How to Check if a PDF is Tagged for Accessibility Online

Ensuring that a PDF is accessible to all users, including those using screen readers or other assistive technologies, is a crucial step in digital document preparation. Whether you're distributing educational materials, corporate reports, or legal documents, confirming that your PDF includes accessibility tags helps meet compliance standards like WCAG and PDF/UA. With pdfAssistant, checking for accessibility tags is fast and simple. Here’s how to check your PDF’s accessibility status in just a few steps.

Check PDF Accessibility Tags – Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Start a conversation with pdfAssistant.
2. Type: "I want to check if my PDF is tagged for accessibility."
3. Upload your PDF when prompted.
4. Confirm your request by asking: "Is this PDF tagged for accessibility?"
5. pdfAssistant will process the file and return details on whether the document is tagged for accessibility or not.
6. Review the results and decide on next steps such as applying security restrictions, converting to other formats, or remediating the document for compliance.

Why Checking PDF Accessibility Tags Matters

Accessibility tagging is what allows assistive technologies—such as screen readers and text-to-speech tools—to interpret the structure and meaning of a PDF. A PDF that’s not tagged can create barriers for users with disabilities and may fail to meet regulatory standards (e.g., Section 508 or the Americans with Disabilities Act in the U.S.).

By checking if your PDF is properly tagged:

• You support inclusivity and equal access.
• You stay ahead of legal and organizational compliance requirements.
• You identify whether remediation steps like tagging or reauthoring are needed.

Benefits of Using pdfAssistant to Check Accessibility

• No Software Required: Check tagging directly in your browser—no installs or plugins.
• Instant Feedback: Know immediately if your file is accessible or needs attention.
• Easy for Everyone: No technical expertise needed—just upload and ask.
• Reliable Results: Built on the power of the Adobe® PDF Library™, via pdfRest Query PDF REST API tool.

Industry Use Cases for Checking PDF Accessibility

Education:

• Ensure instructional materials and course content are accessible to all students, including those using screen readers.

Government:

• Confirm that public-facing reports, notices, and forms comply with accessibility legislation before publication.

Legal:

• Check briefs and court filings for accessibility tags to comply with electronic filing requirements.

Healthcare:

• Make sure patient forms, discharge instructions, and digital health records can be read by assistive tools.

Corporate Communications:

• Verify that investor reports, product documentation, and internal communications are accessible to a diverse audience.

Conclusion

Knowing whether a PDF is tagged for accessibility is an essential first step toward creating inclusive, compliant digital documents. With pdfAssistant, there’s no need for complex software or specialized knowledge—just upload your file and get instant insights.

Whether you're an educator, IT manager, designer, or compliance officer, pdfAssistant helps you stay in control of your document’s accessibility and structure.

Try pdfAssistant today and ensure every PDF you share is accessible to all.