PDFs typically aren’t audited for accessibility – we just remediate and deliver back the fixed file for clients. The reason is it doesn’t make sense to find the accessibility issues and then fix them separately when we can address them in one comprehensive process.
However, there are specific situations where a PDF accessibility audit is called for.
When Audits Make Sense
Here’s an example where when an audit makes sense:
Recently, a client asked us for VPAT services for their web app. The web app generates PDFs based on data from user inputs. In this case, the clients needs to know what accessibility issues exist in the generated PDFs so they can address the root cause by modifying the application itself. Obviously, this is more practical than manually remediating each PDF after its generated.
Relatedly, organizations developing internal document creation workflows benefit from audits to establish baseline accessibility standards. This proactive approach enables them to train content creators properly and implement accessible templates from the outset, significantly reducing remediation costs in the long term.
The Audit-First Approach
In enterprise environments with thousands of documents, auditing a representative sample first allows for prioritization based on complexity and impact. This approach helps organizations develop a phased remediation strategy that maximizes accessibility improvements within budget constraints.
Audits also provide crucial documentation for legal compliance requirements. When organizations need to demonstrate a policy of accessibility, formal audits are an easy way to provide evidence of a commitment.
Our Specialized Audit Process
When we conduct these specialized audits, we evaluate documents against the PDF/UA standard (which includes WCAG 2.1 AA), providing detailed reports that categorize issues by severity and frequency. Our recommendations include recommended remediation instructions that technical teams can use to guide remediation.
Do you need help with a PDF accessibility audit? We’re happy to help – just send us a message and we’ll reply very soon.
