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Enhancing PDF Accessibility: Implementing Alternate Text

shawnjordison0000
Shawn July 24, 2023
13 Comments


In the rapidly evolving digital era, all forms of content, including PDFs, increasingly require accessibility. To bridge the accessibility gap, one must not overlook the method of setting alternate text within a PDF. This blog post offers a step-by-step guide to this process.

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Tag Images as Figure Tags


The first step to setting alternate text involves tagging all images in your PDF as a figure tag. After tagging them, navigate to the tags panel, right-click the figure tag, and choose the properties button. This opens a section where you input a description in the “alternate text for images” field.

Using the Accessibility Button

A faster way to set alternate text for multiple images simultaneously is by utilizing the ‘accessibility’ button. Clicking this option reveals a ‘set alternate text’ command. Once activated, the system automatically detects all figures in the document and displays them alongside an associated text box.

This method streamlines the alternate text setting process and is particularly handy for documents containing numerous images.

The alternate text can be anything from a simple description of the image, like “a forest with Giant Sequoias” or “two robotic hands reaching towards each other,” to more complex annotations depending on the image’s content and context.

It’s vital to remember that images containing text should include the exact text as part of the alternate text, enhancing accessibility for visually impaired users who may rely on screen readers to access the document’s content.

Download the Free Section 508 Checklist for PDF Accessibility:

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!

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  9. College PDF Accessibility: Practical Solutions April 29, 2024

    […] Inadequate Alt Text: Although some images have alt text, they lack specificity and clarity. Solution: Enhance alt text descriptions to provide meaningful context and convey essential information to users who rely on screen readers. Ensure all images have descriptive alt text for comprehensive accessibility. […]

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