Adobe ACROBAT READER 7.0, Manual, Page: 166 / 262

Elements of accessible PDF documents
For Adobe PDF documents to be accessed reliably, they should include the following
elements:
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Reading order: To effectively read information on a page, a screen reader or Text-to-
Speech requires that content be structured. Tags add a logical structure to an Adobe PDF
document that organizes the content, such as text blocks and other page elements, and
defines the intended reading order of the page. To improve the reading order of a PDF
document, Adobe Reader may temporarily adds tags when you use assistive technology or
use the Reflow, Save As Text, or Read Out Loud command. Adding permanent tags to a
PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Professional or Standard.
●
Descriptions for images, form fields, and links: Document features such as illustrations,
and graphs, and interactive form fields can't be read by a screen reader unless they contain
alternate text that describes the element. Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Professional can add alternate
text or tool tips to tagged PDF documents that use audio to describe these features to
readers with visual or learning disabilities.
Note: PDF documents that are created by scanning a printed page are inherently
inaccessible because the document is an image, not text that can be tagged into a logical
document structure or reading order. Use the Paper Capture feature in Acrobat 7.0
Professional or Standard to convert scanned PDF documents into searchable text.
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Navigation: Navigational aids in PDF documents, such as links, bookmarks, and a table of
contents provide an easy way for users to go directly to the section they want instead of
reading through a document page by page.
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Security: PDF documents can be accessible while restricting users from printing, copying,
extracting, commenting, or editing text.