Validating PDF Accessibility in Adobe Acrobat Pro

What is Adobe Acrobat Pro?

Adobe Acrobat Pro is the professional, full version of Acrobat, designed to create, edit, manipulate, and print files in the Portable Document Format (PDF).

How do I use Adobe Acrobat Pro for Validation?

When you create an accessible document, form, or presentation with an authoring tool that allows for accessible design, validation in Adobe Acrobat Pro can be quick and easy. When you inherit a PDF, and the original resource is unavailable, remediation may take some time and effort.

Checkpoints for Standard PDFs

1. Review Properties

   • Ensure both a descriptive title and correct document language.

2. Review Reading Order

   • Ensure logical reading order for all content.

3. Review Alternative Text

   • Ensure appropriate alternative text for all non-decorative images.

4. Review Tag Structure

   • Ensure accurate tag structure for accurate headings, lists, links, tables, and table headers.

Additional Checkpoints for PDF Forms

1. Validate Field Labels

   • Include unique, descriptive tooltips that duplicate field names exactly.

     • This applies to any unique text fields, checkboxes, etc.

     • The group name and tooltip for a series of radio buttons should reflect relevant information from the associated question. The unique choice for each radio button must be specified via Options.

2. Specify Required Fields

   • Set each form field as required or not required.

3. Review Tab Order

   • Ensure logical tab order for each fillable form field.

   • Validate the position of each new field in the Tags pane.

Can I Collect Digital Signatures with PDF Forms?

You may use an accessible, fillable PDF by itself for information-gathering situations, in which a legal signature is not required. For purposes of validation and security, you should distribute externally-facing PDF forms that require a legal signature via a valid e-signature program like Adobe Sign.