Fixing PDFs for Accessibility: Where to Start with Adobe Acrobat
How, and where, can I learn more about remediating PDFs using Adobe Acrobat?
Response:
A great place to start is a return to the resources shared during the UMS Academy session “Designing Accessible Digital Content” (requires a maine.edu email to log in). That required training lays a solid foundation for understanding what accessibility means in practice and how it applies to PDFs.
As a reminder, UMS-IT now provides staff with free access to Adobe Acrobat Pro (Questions about Acrobat Pro may be directed to help@maine.edu), so you have the tools you need to begin remediation work. Adobe also offers step-by-step tutorials on making PDFs accessible, and we’ve also linked to that resource directly on Plugged In’s ADA Compliance and Accessibility: It’s Everyone’s Business page, where you’ll find other relevant resources for remediating documents as well.
As you’re working through PDF remediation, focus on what you can control and improve efficiently:
- Adding meaningful ALT text to images
- Using proper heading structure
- Ensuring good color contrast
- Setting a clear document title
If you’re able to get a document to the point where about 85–90% of accessibility checks are passing, that’s a strong result. If you’re unsure about the remaining issues, feel free to check in with us, we’re happy to help guide next steps.
Our goal is alignment with WCAG 2.1 AA standards, and in many cases, reaching that 85–90% “green-lit” level means you’re in a good place to move forward.
Please note that starting in 2026, we’ll be moving toward posting fewer PDFs on the website overall. Whenever possible, we strongly encourage using more accessible, web-based alternatives. If you’re not sure what those alternatives might look like for your digital content, please reach out to our team; we’re happy to work with you to find the best approach.
Reach Out to Our Team
If you’d like a one-on-one discussion or step-by-step work session with a member of Extension’s Web Team, submit your request through the form on the Extension Communications and Marketing: Submit a Request page.
- Our team will follow up within 48 hours of submission.
- You’ll also receive a confirmation email with a copy of your request—please reply to that message if you need to add updates or additional information.