With increasing legal requirements for digital accessibility, creating accessible PDFs is no longer optional. This 2025 checklist covers all requirements to make your PDF documents fully accessible under WCAG 2.2 and Section 508 standards.
Accessibility Checklist
1. Document Structure
- Document has a logical reading order
- Proper use of heading tags (H1, H2, etc.)
- All content is contained in the tag tree
- Lists are properly tagged as lists
2. Text Content
- All text is actual text (not images of text)
- Language of document is specified
- Language changes are marked
Accessibility Tip: Our PDF Merger preserves accessibility tags when combining documents, making it ideal for creating accessible document collections.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are these advanced features available in free PDF tools?
A: Some basic implementations are available in free tools, but professional-grade features typically require paid software. Our free tools at The PDF Buddy offer many of these capabilities through simple interfaces.
Q: How do I know if my PDF software supports these features?
A: Check your software's documentation for terms like "PDF layers," "Bates numbering," or "PDF JavaScript." Most professional PDF editors will list these capabilities.
Q: Can I use these techniques on mobile devices?
A: Many mobile PDF apps now support basic versions of these features, but complex workflows are still best handled on desktop.