What is essential for creating accessible PDFs?

Creating accessible PDFs is primarily about ensuring that the content can be accessed by individuals using assistive technologies, such as screen readers. Proper tagging and ensuring that the text is readable are essential components of accessibility in PDFs. This process involves structuring the document in a way that allows assistive technologies to interpret the content correctly.

Tagging refers to the HTML-like structure that defines the elements of the document—headings, paragraphs, lists, tables, and images. When a PDF is properly tagged, it enables users with visual impairments to navigate and comprehend the document much more easily, as assistive devices can identify and convey the structure and meaning of the content effectively.

Readable text is also crucial; scanned images without recognizable text cannot be interpreted by screen readers. Thus, having editable text rather than just images of text ensures that the content is accessible to all users.

In contrast, using scanned images without text reduces accessibility since these images cannot be read by assistive technologies, while avoiding any graphics would eliminate valuable content that could enhance understanding. Focusing solely on visual appeal does not consider the usability and interpretability of content for people with disabilities. Therefore, the combination of proper tagging and readable text is imperative for creating a fully accessible PDF.