PDF/UA-2 – the updated PDF accessibility standard

PDF documents are everywhere and are used by nearly everybody. So, it is important to make sure that they are accessible for all users – and we have a standard for that.

PDF/UA stands for PDF/Universal Accessibility. It has been the technical standard for accessible PDF since 2012.

The PDF/UA standard sets the rules for an accessible PDF format, with a focus on technical accessibility. To be accessible according to the PDF/UA standard, different elements of the document (like headings, lists, tables, images, links…) need to be “tagged”. This is so that assistive technologies can understand and present the content adequately and in the logical order. Much of the tagging is done automatically, when for example, you save a Word document as PDF.

The general standard for the PDF format was updated in 2017 to PDF 2.0, with a completely rewritten clause on “tagged PDF”. And the PDF/UA standard was also updated in 2024, to follow up on those changes. The recent version, PDF/UA-2, provides uniform requirements for creating and validating accessible PDF 2.0 files, ensuring a better experience for the end users. Among others, it:

• addresses additional structure elements, like Title (for the title of a document, written as the first lines) and Aside (for content that is not in the main flow of the document, such as sidebars),
• defines improved requirements for references within the document,
• provides requirements for math elements,
• facilitates the integration of non-PDF content.

Beyond the PDF/UA standard

All in all, the possibilities to create better and more accessible PDFs are improving. The requirements are getting better, providing an even better framework to create fully accessible documents. But it is important to keep in mind, that PDF/UA does not cover everything when it comes to document accessibility. It has no requirements for accessible content or accessible visual appearance. It does not cover, for example, whether colours and contrast are used in an accessible manner, whether the text is difficult to read, or whether content is meaningful or merely decorative. These aspects are addressed in other standards, like the EN 301 549 or WCAG, which may be used to comply with requirements for documents in accessibility laws.

Accessible PDFs are therefore not only for technical experts. Everybody can play their parts, by paying attention to accessibility when creating a document. Any document, be it an e-mail, text, spreadsheet, slideshow or even a letter.

Would you like to know more or get support? We offer:

• Training on accessible documents
• Certification Preparation Training for IAAP Accessible Document Specialist (ADS)
• Document remediation