How to Convert Scanned PDFs to Accessible Formats following WCAG
                     How to Convert Scanned PDFs 
to Accessible Formats: WCAG 
PDF Accessibility
Introduction to Converting Scanned 
PDFs to Accessible Formats
• Digital accessibility ensures everyone can use your PDFs, 
including people with disabilities
• Scanned PDFs are images, making them hard for assistive 
technologies like screen readers to read
• WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) set the 
global standard for accessible digital content
• This presentation covers key steps to make scanned PDFs 
accessible and WCAG-compliant
Why Accessible PDFs Matter
• Comply with global accessibility laws and standards
• Provide equal access to users with disabilities
• Improve usability for everyone (search, navigation, 
readability)
• Reduce legal and reputational risks
What Makes a PDF Accessible?
• Text must be searchable and selectable, not just images
• Properly tagged headings and structure for screen readers
• Logical reading order for clear flow
• Alternative text for images and meaningful hyperlinks
aA H2H3 1     2   H1  3
 Challenges of Scanned PDFs
• Scanned documents are essentially images, not text
• Screen readers cannot process image-only PDFs
• Poor-quality scans cause recognition errors
• Manual tagging and remediation are resource-intensive
WCAG & PDF/UA Standards 
Overview
• WCAG 2.2 provides guidelines for all digital content
• PDF/UA defines technical requirements specific to PDF 
files
• Both ensure accessibility for assistive technologies
• Use these standards as a checklist during remediation
SEC
WCAG PDF EA AODA
508 /
A
UA
Key Steps to Make 
Scanned PDFs Accessible
Step 1: Apply Optical Character 
Recognition (OCR)
• Converts images of text into searchable and editable 
content
• Essential for scanned PDFs to become machine readable
• Tools include Adobe Acrobat and online OCR systems
• Improves compatibility with screen readers and text-to-
speech
Step 2: Add Proper Content 
Structure and Tags
• Use headings to define document hierarchy
• Tag paragraphs, lists, tables according to semantic roles
• Ensures logical reading order for assistive devices
• Enables navigation by outline and bookmarks
Step 3: Provide Descriptive 
Alternative Text (ALT Text)
• ALT text describes images, charts, and graphics clearly
• Helps visually impaired users understand content 
context
• Keep descriptions concise but meaningful
• Important for accessible metadata and compliance
Step 4: Make Tables and Lists 
Accessible
• Define table headers and identify relationships between 
cells
• Use built-in list formatting for bullet and numbered lists
• Avoid manually created symbols for lists
• Improves readability and navigation for screen readers
Step 5: Ensure Color Contrast and 
Font Readability
• Maintain minimum contrast ratios (WCAG 4.5:1 for text)
• Use legible fonts and appropriate sizes (minimum 12pt 
recommended)
• Avoid color as the only means of conveying information
• Test on different backgrounds and devices
Step 6: Add Navigation Features
• Create bookmarks and clickable tables of contents
• Verify logical tab order for keyboard navigation
• Ensure reading order matches visual order using tags
• Improves user experience for all users, including 
assistive tech
 Use Automated Tools for Validation
• Tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro, Documenta11y
• Identify missing tags, reading order issues, contrast 
problems
• Combine automated and manual testing for best results
• Helps maintain compliance and quality before 
distribution
Ongoing Best Practices
• Regularly test PDFs with various screen readers
• Stay updated with WCAG and PDF/UA changes
• Provide training and resources for teams handling PDFs
• Outsource to professional pdf remediation experts
• Plan accessibility from document creation, not just 
remediation
Need Support? Message 
DocumentA11y!
• We convert, remediate, and validate your scanned PDFs.
• Fast, expert service for accessible PDFs and 
WCAG PDF accessibility.
• DM us or visit “www.documenta11y.com” to get 
started.