PDF Access

Guide

Testing a PDF with a screen reader.

Automated checkers confirm that structure exists. Only a screen reader tells you whether the document is usable. This is the same procedure our specialists follow on every reviewed job.

Setup

  • Windows: NVDA (free) with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Acrobat exposes the tag tree; browser PDF viewers vary.
  • macOS: VoiceOver (Cmd+F5) with Adobe Acrobat Reader. Preview has limited tag support.

Procedure

  1. Title. Open the file. You should hear the document title, not “report_final_v3.pdf”.
  2. Headings. NVDA: press H to jump between headings and 1–6 for levels. VoiceOver: open the rotor (VO+U) and choose Headings. The list should mirror the table of contents.
  3. Reading order. Read a page continuously (NVDA: Insert+Down; VoiceOver: VO+A). Listen for sidebars or captions interrupting paragraphs, columns read across, and page headers repeated.
  4. Images. Move to each graphic (NVDA: G). You should hear a short description, or nothing if the image is decorative. “Graphic” with no description is a failure.
  5. Tables. Enter a table (NVDA: T) and move with Ctrl+Alt+Arrows. Each cell should be announced with its column and row header.
  6. Links. List links (NVDA: Insert+F7). “Click here” and raw URLs are weak link text.
  7. Language. Listen for mispronounced common words, which usually means the language is missing.

Record the result

For each problem note the page number, what you heard, what you expected, and the software and version used. That record is what an auditor or remediator needs. Our delivery report follows the same format.

Shortcut

Before spending time with a screen reader, run the free automated check. If the file is untagged or missing language and title, no amount of screen reader testing will make it pass; it needs remediation first.