How to Create and Check a PDF File for Accessibility

Click here (Acrobat Icon 81 KB) for a PDF version of the instructions.

Accessible PDF are files which can be read by screen readers. The following tutorial will give you a direction and general understanding on how to create accessible PDF files and how to check your PDF files for accessibility.

Step 1. After you create your Word file make sure you save it with the proper extension. Click on the Adobe PDF drop-down menu and select Convert to Adobe PDF option:

Note: If you are using Word 2007: Click on the Acrobat button: and then click on the Create PDF button 

Step 2.

Save the document with the extension .PDF in the appropriate folder.
Step 3. Open Adobe Acrobat  or double click on the PDF file you have just saved. It will open with the version of Adobe Acrobat you have installed on your computer.
Step 4. Click on the Advanced option on the menu bar and select the Accessibility option:
Step 5. Click on the Full Check option:
  Accessibility Full Check window will appear.
Step 6. Click on the Select All button  and than click on the Start Checking button .
Step 7. A message will appear indicating the status of there performed accessibility check. If you receive a warning message indicating that problems were found shown on the example below, follow the further tutorial instructions on how to prevent the problems or fix some of the most common ones: