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NewFormat AB

PDF standards make the world work




NewFormat makes information permanently
accessible, searchable, readable and reusable
for the future and for as many people as possible.

We leave no file behind.

We create accessible PDF in compliance with the ISO Standard PDF/UA.


Our solutions are based on
tested, reliable, and highly accessible software solutions.




PDF Accessibility Org, PAC - Logo

PDF Accessibility Checker 2024

PAC is the globally used, free PDF accessibility checker
that has been established since 2010

PAC 2024 checks for compliance with
the official PDF/UA and WCAG standards


PAC 3 and PAC 2021 users
are recommended to upgrade to PAC 2024


    Since November 28, 2023, the PDF Accessibility Org, is
    "The New Home of PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC)".

    The PDF Accessibility Org is committed to ensuring
    the best end-user experience for the most widely used
    digital document format (PDF) in the world and contributes to
    the future of document accessibility.

    Document accessibility is a crucial
    but often forgotten part of an inclusive web.

    The website of the PDF Accessibility Org provides free services,
    resources and tools to promote and advance the topics of
    digital accessibility and PDF accessibility in particular.

    PAC 2024 is developed by axes4.
    axes4 and PAC's dedicated community take care of PAC
    to ensure further development of the checking tool.




Accessibility - Icon

Accessible PDF


A fully PDF/UA compliant PDF can be just as
accessible as a WCAG compliant website




PDF Accessibility Org, PAC - Logo

PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC)

    The no-cost PDF Accessibility Checker PAC (currently only for Windows)
    is the extended desktop version of axesCheck from axes4.

    PAC allows you to check your PDF without having to upload it.
    With PAC you also receive a detailed report and
    can precisely localise the errors in the document.
    PAC also offers a screen reader preview and
    supports the additionally required visual inspection.

    PAC provides a quick way to test the accessibility of
    PDF documents and forms according to the ISO Standard 14289-1
    for universally accessible PDF, also known as PDF/UA.

    The PAC also validates PDF documents for compliance with
    the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, level AA!

    PAC supports both experts/testers as well as end users
    conducting PDF accessibility evaluations.


    PAC installs on Windows computers.
    Should you instead need to test PDF files with regard to
    digital accessibility from the browser on other types of
    computers and mobile devices we recommend axesCheck,
    a no-cost web-based PDF Accessibility Checker service.




PDF/UA
The Global Standard for PDF Accessibility

The relation and dependency between
PDF, PDF/UA, WCAG, Usability and Accessibility / Accessible PDF

    To meet PDF accessibility requirements is like a "mountaineering expedition".
    The reach of a camp builds on the reach of all previous camps.

    The route goes from PDF (Camp 1), via PDF/Universal Accessibility (Camp 2),
    Relevent Accessibility Parts of WCAG (Camp 3), and PDF Usability (Camp 4),
    to the mountain top, a PDF that is Usable and Accessible for All Users:

    • Camp 4: Usability

    • Camp 3: WCAG - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, ISO 40500

    • Camp 2: PDF/UA - Universally Accessible PDF, ISO 14289

    • Camp 1: PDF - Portable Document Format, ISO 32000

PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC)
checks for compliance with ISO Standards,
PDF/UA and (relevent accessibility parts of) WCAG

axes4, Matterhorn Mountain Trail and Camps to the Accessibility Peak - Banner

Source: axes4.com




PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC) - Features

PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC), Operator Dashboard/User Pane - Picture

    Main features:

    • PAC is freeware and both "PDF/UA-Ready" and "WCAG-Ready"!

    • Intuitive user interface that makes it easy to
      check documents for accessibility compliance

    • PDF/UA-1 check with all machine-testable checkpoints
      of the matterhorn protocol

    • WCAG check with all machine-testable checkpoints of
      the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA

    • Quality Checks that are recommended
      best practices to avoid errors.

    • Colourful screenreader preview for evaluating
      the logical document structure visually

    • View of the tag tree with all properties and attributes


    • Built-in Colour Contrast Checker.
    • PAC contains a built-in checker that automatically
      evaluates colour contrast between any
      text elements and the background.

      (WCAG Success Criterion 1.4.3 states that any text
      or images of text need to have a contrast ratio
      between the text and its background of 4.5:1)


    • Statistics concerning the document structure

    • Providing both a summary view and in-depth report
      on compliance issues within PDF-documents

    • Export of Summary Report(s) as accessible PDF,
      and ready for printing



Improvements and New Features in PAC 2024

Accessibility Org, PAC 2024 Dashboard - Picture

    Improvements:

    • Improved User Interface:
      Adaptation to the UI style of Windows 11.

    • Improved contrast check:
      Many false positives in PAC 2021 have been fixed.

    • The report window contains the same three columns
      (Passed / Warning / Error) as the main window.

    • The screen reader preview loads around 40% faster,
      and subsequent previews are much faster.

    • The preview uses the latest Windows browser (Edge)
      instead of the outdated Internet Explorer.

    • The PDF renderer also works faster.

    Among new features:

    • There is a help link for each warning or error in the report window:

      • For PDF/UA warnings and errors, a Google search is started.
        (The search is always performed in English,
        regardless of the language in which PAC is displayed).

      • For WCAG warnings and errors,
        PAC opens the respective WCAG documentation.

      • For the new Quality Checks,
        specific help pages on the PAC 2024 website are called.


    • Time-saving Quality Checks.
    • A large part of the requirements for barrier-free PDF-documents
      can only be checked by a human.
      Yes that's true! And yes, that's true for PDF accessibility as well.
      And yet software can help to minimize the effort for such "human checks".
      This is where the quality checks in PAC2024 come into play,
      for example: they refer to those requirements that a human has to check.

      PAC now simplifies manual testing with the help of quality checks
      that point out possible errors.
      PDFs are not only checked against the PDF/UA and WCAG checksets,
      but also against a set of plausibility rules that will support with
      manual testing, while saving time and nerves.

      In this sense, the new quality checks are not
      official technical criteria and they do not all
      have to be green to identify your PDF as accessible.
      They are intended to serve as an indication of possible errors.


      Examples of quality checks are:

      • Are there heading tags in my document?

      • Is there a document title that does not match
        the pattern of an automatically generated one,
        such as the file name?

      • If there are alternative texts:
        Do they not match the pattern of an
        automatically generated one such as a file name?

      • Are table of contents entries linked?

      • Are language awards ISO compliant?

      • Are links fully distinguished?

      • Are there bookmarks if there are heading tags?

      For example, while a document that does not
      contain any header tags is technically correct,
      this is nevertheless probably an error.

      This can be illustrated with an example:

        Headings that are recognizable as such for
        sighted users in the PDF must also be recognizable
        as such for software (like assistive technologies).
        If this is not the case, the PDF cannot be
        considered accessible.

        The quality check helps to find such places.
        However, a human must decide whether it really is
        a heading and what level of structure it should have.
        Finding such places was previously left entirely to
        the visual inspection of a human and was therefore
        time-consuming.

        The quality checks help to find such potential
        problem areas more quickly.


    Download PAC 2024:




axesPDF - Logo with text

For professional use we recommend axesPDF
which is the enhanced professional implementation of PAC.

axesPDF can, besides validation,
also remediate PDF files to comply with
PDF/UA-1 (ISO 14289-1), WCAG 2.1, and U.S. Section 508.








Products


PDF Accessibility Org, PAC - Logo

PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC)
tests the compliance with PDF/UA and WCAG
for digitally accessible PDF documents


The design of PAC allows users to quickly, in 1-click only,
identify the machine verifiable success criterions of both
ISO 14289-1 (PDF/UA-1)
and
WCAG 2.1 AA (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)




Download - Icon

Free Download of PDF Accessibility Checker

Click Here to download PDF Accessibility Checker, PAC 2024




PAC - The User Interface / Dashboard at a Glance

PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC), Dashboard, User Interface Overview - Picture

    PAC Program Interface

    1. "Open Document" - Button
    2. To open a PDF document to be checked by PAC, you can:

      • click the button to open the PDF file
        from Windows File Explorer, or

      • drag and drop the PDF anywhere
        on the dashboard window

      After your preferred action,
      the test procedure is started immediately.



    3. "PDF Preview" - Viewing Area
    4. Displays a reduced preview of your PDF document.



    5. "Document Properties" - Viewing Area
    6. This area of the PAC user interface displays additional core
      information about the PDF document that is being checked.

      These details include the document title, file name,
      main language, number of tags, number of pages,
      and the file size.



    7. "Summary Report" - Viewing Area
    8. The summary report shows an overview of
      the validation results for each checkpoint,
      with the associated results organized into
      "Passed", "Warned", or "Failed".


      You can choose to view the results for either:

      • the PDF/UA validation (first tab marked "PDF/UA")
      • or

      • the WCAG validation (second tab marked "WCAG")
      • or

      • the Quality valuation (third tab marked "Quality")

      The conclusion of the completed examination procedure
      is then displayed:

      • PDF/UA: If the audited criteria meet
        the requirements of PDF/UA, the conclusion is:

        • "The PDF/UA requirements checked by PAC are fulfilled"

        and in the opposite case:

        • "This PDF file is not PDF/UA compliant", or

        • "It is possible that some PDF/UA requirements are not met"


      • WCAG: If the audited criteria meet
        the requirements of WCAG, the conclusion is:

        • "The WCAG 2.1 requirements checked by PAC are fulfilled"

        and in the opposite case:

        • "This PDF file is not WCAG 2.1 compliant", or

        • "It is possible that some WCAG requirements are not met"


      • Quality: If the audited criteria meet
        proof of quality requirements, the conclusion is:

        • "This document has no quality issues"

        and in the opposite case:

        • "This document has quality issues", or

        • "This document has potential quality issues"


      The results of the checking procedure are then presented
      in a tabular overview with four columns:

      1. In the first column ("Checkpoints"),
        the eleven PDF/UA / the thirteen WCAG checkpoints
        are named, each of which summarizes the result for
        several individual test criteria.

      2. The second column ("Pass"),
        documents the number of verified and
        validated occurrences of a given checkpoint.

      3. The third column ("Warning"),
        gives the number of warnings.
        In these cases a closer analysis is indicated.

      4. Finally, the fourth column ("Failed"),
        names the number of cases that violated
        the PDF/UA standard or the WCAG guidelines.


    9. "Results in Detail" - Button
    10. This report view opens in a separate window.
      Using the detailed report, individual errors (checkpoints)
      can be analyzed and located in the document.

      Items can be expanded in the Title list to view test details
      for individual subitems/checkpoints.

      When you click an error in the list, details about
      the error are displayed in the top-right pane,
      and the location of the error in the document is
      displayed in the lower-right pane.


    11. "PDF Report" - Button
    12. Summary test reports, as proof of quality,
      can be exported using this button.
      The overview 4-column table in the "Summary Report"
      can be exported as a barrier-free / accessible PDF file.

      You can choose to generate and export:

      • "PDF/UA Summary Report", or

      • "WCAG Summary Report"


    13. "Logical Structure" - Button
    14. This report view opens in a separate window.
      Using the views in the Logical Structure window,
      the entire tag tree for the PDF document can be inspected.

      You can also view the properties for each tag,
      associated role maps, and highlighted visual rendering of
      selected content on the associated page.

      With "Rolemap" you can assign and change
      the various styles used for objects in a document.


    15. "Document Statistics" - Button
    16. This report view opens in a separate window.
      The "Document Statistics" view provides an list of
      the structural elements ("tags") used in
      the PDF document, as well as the count
      for each type of tag.

      This information helps you evaluate
      the document semantics.


    17. "Screen Reader Preview" - Button
    18. "Screen Reader Preview" allows to view a simplified
      structure of the PDF to quickly assess the quality of
      the assigned tags and to review the sequential
      logical reading order of the document.


    19. "About" - Button
    20. Shows the version number of the PAC software that you
      are using and allows for access to additional information.
      The "More Information button" opens
      the PDF Accessibility Org website where
      you can find additional information.



PAC 2024 Manuals / Online User Guides


PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker 2024 (PAC 2024) Online User Guide - Icon

PAC 2024 Quickstart Online Guide

The PAC Quickstart Guide
makes it easier for you to get started and
helps you to familiarize yourself with the user interface,
all test functions and views as well as useful
keyboard shortcuts for navigating the tag tree.


PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker 2024 (PAC 2024) Online User Guide - Icon

PAC 2024 Quality Checks Online Guide

The PAC Quality Check Guide
provides explanations of the quality checks.
It provides useful information on exactly what
PAC checks for each individual check.
This makes it easier for you to assess whether
the result is relevant for your document or not.




System Requirements:

    Supported operating system:

    • Windows 10

    • Windows 11

    An installation is not required:
    simply unpack the ZIP file and run PAC.exe


    Additional requirements:

    • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 or higher

    Hardware requirements:

    • RAM
      • Minimum: 8 GB

      • Recommended: 16 GB or more

    The PAC user interface is available in
    Danish, English, French, German, and Spanish.




PDF Accessibility Org, PAC - Logo

PAC Quick-Test

Quick test with PAC for compliance of PDF document
with both PDF/UA and WCAG


    What is the Quick-Test?

    • Quick test of a PDF document for accessibility

    • The test can be performed by anyone with PAC;
      PAC is an easy to use and free testing tool

    • This test is a first assessment (tendency) of whether a
      PDF document meets the accessibility requirements of
      PDF/UA and applicable success criteria of WCAG

    • First assessment of the semantics of the document

    • As an accessibility tester/examiner,
      you become more skilled and works faster,
      the more often you use PAC as your quick test tool

    What is the Quick-Test not?

    • Final and definitive statement on conformity of
      a document with accessibility standards
      PDF/UA or WCAG

    • The ultimate testing tool for accessibility experts

    • Scientifically performed field test

    • Final and definitive quality assurance

    • 100% statement on the accessibility of a PDF document


    How do you proceed?

    Automatic PDF/UA and WCAG check with PAC
    1. Download PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC) free validation tool


    2. Check your own PDF document with PAC

    3. Evaluate test results (see typical samples below)




    Evaluating test results:

    When PDF Accessibility Checker is finished testing your file,
    you can review the results in several ways:

    • Summary report

    • Detailed report

    • Screen reader preview

    • Document statistics

    • Logical structure - Structure elements

    • Logical structure - Decorative elements

    When reviewing the results,
    it is important to remember that PAC focuses on
    the technical aspects of the PDF document;
    this applies to both the PDF/UA and the WCAG validation.

    Many of the accessibility checkpoints for PDF/UA and WCAG
    require additional visual or manual inspection
    to ensure that the PDF document is compliant.




    Figure 1 to 6 below, shows examples displayed in
    the "Summary Report - Viewing Area" of results after
    validation of compliance with PDF/UA-1 and WCAG 2.1 AA,
    and Quality valuation:


Positive PDF/UA Check
(Click on "PDF/UA tab")

Figure 1: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024, PDF/UA Check, Dashboard, PDF/UA requirements are met - Picture

Figure 1:
PAC PDF/UA Checking Result for PDF document
where PDF/UA requirements are met



Positive WCAG Check
(Click on "WCAG tab")

Figure 2: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024, WCAG Check, Dashboard, WCAG requirements are met - Picture

Figure 2:
PAC WCAG Checking Result for PDF document
where WCAG requirements are met



Positive PDF/UA and WCAG Quality Check
(Click on "Quality tab")

Figure 3: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 Check, PAC2024 kontroll, Dashboard, PAC Positive PDF/UA and WCAG Quality Check - Picture

Figure 3:
Quality Checking Result for PDF document
Document has no quality issues



Negative PDF/UA Check
(Click on "PDF/UA tab")

Figure 4: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 Check, Dashboard, PAC PDF/UA not approved, PDF/UA requirements are not met - Picture

Figure 4:
PAC PDF/UA Checking Result for PDF document
where PDF/UA requirements are not met



Negative WCAG Check
(Click on "WCAG tab")

Figure 5: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 Check, Dashboard, WCAG not approved, WCAG requirements are not met - Picture

Figure 5:
PAC Report for PDF document
where WCAG requirements are not met



Negative PDF/UA and WCAG Quality Check
(Click on "Quality tab")

Figure 6: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 kontroll, Dashboard, PAC Quality Issues - Picture

Figure 6:
Quality Checking Result for PDF document
This document has quality issues




    Examine detailed results

    Results in Detail
    1. Click on button "Results in Detail"

    2. The Detailed Report window opens and displays a list of
      approved / not approved PDF/UA and WCAG checkpoints,
      and potential Quality Issues

    3. For each item / checkpoint in the list,
      the corresponding status and item count is displayed

Figure 7: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 kontroll, Dashboard, Results in Details, PDF/UA-1, WCAG 2.1 AA, and Quality requirements are likely met - Picture

Figure 7:
PAC Results in Detail for PDF document
which technically meets
PDF/UA, WCAG and Quality requirements



    1. In the case the "Results in Detail" view indicates any error,
      click an error in the list in the left pane

    2. The detailed error message is displayed in the top-right pane,
      and the associated page is displayed in the bottom-right

    3. You can use this detailed report to locate and analyze
      each error in the document

Figure 8: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 kontroll, Dashboard, Result in Detail, PDF/UA and WCAG requirements are not met - Picture

Figure 8:
PAC Results in Detail for a PDF document
that is not PDF/UA nor WCAG compliant

The performed PDF/UA check reports i.a. the following errors:
"Logical Structure - Structure Elements, Tables:
The header cell of the table does not have associated subcells"




    Check of Color Contrast

    Color contrast results:

    1. Click on button:
      - "Results in Detail"

    2. Click checkpoint:
      - "WCAG"

    3. Click checkpoint
      - "Success Criteria: 1. Perceivable"

    4. Click checkpoint
      - "Success Criteria: 1.4 Distinguishable"

    5. Click checkpoint:
      - "Success Criteria: 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)"

    6. Click checkpoint:
      - "Contrast of Text"

Text with insufficient contrast

Figure 9: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 kontroll, Dashboard, Results in Detail, PDF/UA and WCAG requirements are not met, Insufficient Color Contrast - Picture

Figure 9:
PAC Results in Detail for PDF document
that is not WCAG compliant due to
insufficient text contrast:
"Text with insufficient contrast"




    Visually check the document internal structures
    Screen Reader Preview

    The Screen Reader Preview feature in PAC is used to
    perform a quick, visual check of the internal structure
    of a PDF document.

    1. Click "Screen Reader Preview" button

    2. It displays a simplified structure of the document;
      a visual representation of the internal document structure
      that a screen reader will “see” as it reads the page
Figure 10: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 kontroll, Dashboard, Screen Reader Preview of PDF Document Structure, Sample 1 - Picture

Figure 10:
PAC Screen Reader Preview of
PDF document's internal structure, sample 1


Figure 11: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 kontroll, Dashboard, Screen Reader Preview of PDF Document Structure, Sample 2 - Picture

Figure 11:
PAC Screen Reader Preview of
PDF document's internal structure, sample 2




    Quick look at the statistics of the PDF document
    Document Statistics
    1. Click on "Document Statistics" button

    2. The list opens in a separate window and
      shows the count for each type of element

    3. Review the document statistics

Figure 12: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 kontroll, Dashboard, Document Statistics, Most Likely a PDF/UA Compliant PDF Document - Picture

Figure 12:
Document Statistics window for a
PDF/UA compliant document


    The statistics in Figure 12 above shows that
    (among other things) the following tagged elements
    are present in the document:

    • Headings of levels 1 (H1) and 2 (H2)

    •     
    • Pictures and captions (Figure, Caption)

    •     
    • Lists (L, Lbl, LBody)

    •     
    • Paragraphs (P) / Text

    •     
    • Table of Contents (TOC, TOCI)

    • ...

    This indicates that the most important elements
    are present and it is likely a well-tagged document.


    1. To filter the items listed in Figure 12,
      hover over the "Count" heading and click the "Filter" icon

    2. Click "Clear Filter" button
Figure 13: PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC 2021), Dashboard, Document Statistics, Action: Numeric Filtering - Picture

Figure 13:
Document Statistics - Action: Numeric Filtering


      Document Statistics can easily show missing tags:

Figure 14: PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC 2021), Dashboard, Document Statistics, No Tags Attached, Not PDF/UA Compliant PDF Document, Not accessible PDF - Picture

Figure 14:
Shows document statistics for a PDF document
without structure elements (tags);
no headings, no table of contents,
no captions, no paragraphs,....

The document is completely untagged!
It is a non-structured document.
The PDF document is not PDF/UA compliant;
thus a completely inaccessible PDF!




    Examine The Detailed Structure
    Logical Structure - Structure Elements

    Use the "Logical Structure" view in PAC to perform a more
    detailed analysis of the document's internal structure

    1. To see the complete structure of the PDF document in
      the form of a tag tree, click "Logical Structure" button

    2. The Logical Structure window opens,
      the tag tree is displayed in the left pane

    3. To view the properties for a specific tag,
      in the left pane, navigate to and click the tag

    4. The Properties for the chosen tag are displayed
Figure 15: PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC 2021), Dashboard, Logical Structure, Structure Elements, Tag Tree, Properties - Picture

Figure 15:
Logical Structure - Structure Elements - Tag Tree - Properties

Use this view to ensure that the properties are correct


    Show "Page View"

    1. In the right pane, click "Page View" tab

    2. The Page View windows opens in the right pane
Figure 16: PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC 2021), Dashboard, Logical Structure, Structure Elements, Tag Tree, Page View - Picture

Figure 16:
Logical Structure - Structure Elements - Page View

You can use this view to determine if
the structural elements in the tag tree and
the visual logical reading order match


    Show "Rolemap"

    1. Click on "Rolemap" tab, in the right pane

    2. The Rolemap windows opens in the right pane
Figure 17: PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC 2021), Dashboard, Logical Structure, Structure Elements, Tag Tree, Rolemap - Picture

Figure 17:
Logical Structure - Structure Elements - Rolemap

You can use this view to ensure that
the role assignments in the document are correct




    Examine The Detailed Structure
    Logical Structure - Decorative Elements
    View decorative elements

    In an accessible PDF document, images and graphics that
    add no detail to the information are marked as decorative.

    In the document structure,
    these elements are marked as Artifacts.


    1. To do a quick visual check of all the structure elements
      in your PDF document that are marked as decorative,
      click "Logical Structure" button

    2. Click the "Artifacts" tag in the left window pane

    3. In the list under the "Structure Elements" tab,
      expand a page by clicking on a page icon and
      click on an artifact

    4. Information about the properties is
      displayed in the right pane
Figure 18: PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC 2021), Dashboard, Logical Structure, Decorative Elements, Artifacts, Properties - Picture

Figure 18:
Logical Structure - Decorative Elements / Artifacts - Properties


    View information about
    the decorative element / artifact in Page View

    1. Click the "Page View" tag in the right window pane
Figure 19: PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC 2021), Dashboard, Logical Structure, Decorative Elements, Artifacts, Page View - Picture

Figure 19:
Logical Structure - Decorative Elements / Artifacts - Page View

Logotypes are regarded as decorative elements
that shall be marked as "Artifacts"




    Exporting the PAC Test Results
    PDF Export

    The PAC test results can be exported as
    proof of the quality of the PDF document

    The PDF export feature is especially useful for
    service providers; they can generate the report
    as proof that their work has been done in compliance
    with accessibility standards and recommendations,
    PDF/UA and WCAG


    To export the Summary Test Report to an accessible PDF:

    1. Click on the "PDF Report" button

    2. In the "Export PDF Report" dialog box,
      enter a file name and choose the location
      where you want to save the file

    3. Click the "Save" button

    An accessible PDF file of the test results is generated
    and opens in your default PDF reader:

Figure 20: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 kontroll, Dashboard, Exported PDF/UA Test Report, Accessible PDF File - Picture

Figure 20:
PAC Exported PDF/UA Test Report
(The report itself is compliant with PDF/UA-1)



Figure 21: PDF Accessibility Org, PDF Accessibility Checker PAC2024 kontroll, Dashboard, Exported WCAG Test Report, Accessible PDF File - Picture

Figure 21:
PAC Exported WCAG Test Report

(The report itself is compliant with WCAG 2.1 AA)




    As indicated above:

    The PAC Quick-Test is a first assessment (tendency)
    of whether a PDF document meets the accessibility
    requirements of PDF/UA and applicable success
    criterias of WCAG.

    Should your PDF files fail to pass the PAC Quick-Test above,
    they need to be immediately remediated before
    they can be published.

    Then feel free to see our comprehensive list of recommended
    software tools and services to tag, create, validate and
    remediate PDF files for compliance with PDF/UA and WCAG.


    Or:




Accessibility and Compliance Standards and Guidelines



Accessible PDF

PDF/UA - Icon

    General information on the PDF/UA standard
    for universally accessible PDF documents


    PDF standards

    PAC checks the compliance of existing PDF documents
    with the PDF/UA standard.

    PDF/UA specifies how the underlying PDF standard
    must be applied to generate accessible PDF documents.


    The Matterhorn Protocol

    The purpose of the the Matterhorn Protocol is to
    promote the adoption of the PDF/UA standard.

    It defines a set of test criteria that allow PDF documents
    to be checked for compliance with the PDF/UA standard.

    PDF/UA conformance requires validation of
    both syntax and semantic.

    It should be noted that the Matterhorn Protocol contains,
    in addition to automatically verifiable criteria,
    those that rely on human judgment for validation.

    The Matterhorn Protocol specifies a common set of
    31 "Checkpoints" with 136 failure conditions, whereof

    • 108 failure conditions can be checked by the PAC software
    • and

    • while other failure conditions require human judgment.

    The PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC) is
    "PDF/UA-Ready" Freeware

    PAC is based on the Matterhorn Protocol and uses
    the protocol to analyze the accessibility and
    inaccessibility of existing PDF documents,
    but the implemented checks don't have a
    1:1 mapping with the Matterhorn Protocol.

    While Matterhorn only has one checkpoint for
    appropriate tagging, PAC executes a check for
    every single type of structure element.

    Based on this,
    PAC automatically checks 108 verifiable criteria.
    This can be used to detect whether a PDF document complies
    with the PDF/UA standard according to these criteria.

    Note! Naturally, PAC can not take account of those PDF/UA
    test criteria in which a judgmental assessment of a matter
    by a human being must be made
    .


    PAC supports anyone who wants or need to
    create accessible PDF documents.

    A quick test procedure generates
    an analysis overview and detail report.
    The latter locates the offending errors in the document.

    To document, print or easily pass the results on
    to third parties, PAC can export the overview report
    into an accessible PDF document.


    PDF/UA Foundation - PAC PDF/UA Check - Correct - The PDF/UA Requirements Checked by PAC Are Fulfilled - Accessible PDF - Banner

    The success message above is shown by PAC when a
    PDF document meets the syntactic requirements
    of the ISO standard PDF/UA.

    Zero errors means that the document is
    only technically barrier-free.

    It remains to verify that the document is
    also semantically correct.

    When this requirement is also successful it remains
    to be tested whether the document meets WCAG's
    other applicable success criteria.

    When even those requirements are met,
    the document can be published as a digitally
    accessible PDF for everyone on the entity's websites.


    PDF/UA Foundation - PAC PDF/UA Check - Error - This PDF File Is Not PDF/UA Compliant - Not An Accessible PDF - Banner

    The error message above is shown by PAC when a
    PDF document lacks proper internal structure tagging,
    which all Assistive Technology (AT) devices
    (such as screen readers, PDF readers) depend entirely on
    to accurately reproduce the contents of a PDF document.

    Such a PDF document is thus syntacticly not correct,
    thus not digitally accessible for everyone.

    Recommended action:
    Do not publish the document on public facing websites.
    Do not accept the document, return it to the responsible
    instance for remediation - Re-do it, do it right!


    PDF/UA Foundation - PAC PDF/UA Check - Warning - Possible Issue. This PDF File Is Not PDF/UA Compliant - Not An Accessible PDF - Icon

    Warning message filed by PAC PDF/UA Check
    on detected possible PDF/UA issue.
    Review the content and make any necessary corrections!


    If your PDF document does not pass
    the PDF/UA validation:


    Check your own PDF files with PAC
    for compliance with PDF/UA:




Accessible Web Sites

W3C/WAI - Icon

    General information on
    W3C/WAI/WCAG recommendations
    for universally accessible websites


    W3C/WCAG recommendations

    The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1)
    are the internationally recognized guidelines for
    accessible websites.

    Many national or supranational regulations (eg at EU level)
    on the accessibility of websites refer to WCAG 2.0/2.1.

    Electronic documents, like PDFs, provided for download
    from a website are also covered by WCAG 2.1 per se and
    must meet the applicable success criteria to comply with
    WCAG 2.1 (Level A, AA or AAA).

    Note! The technical implementation of accessible PDF
    requires however the PDF/UA standard, not the WCAG.


    PDF Accessibility Checker (PAC)
    is "WCAG-Ready" freeware

    WCAG's recommendations are mainly developed for
    implementation of universal design for accessible websites.

    PAC can test WCAG's recommendations applicable
    for website information based on PDF-technology
    (only a small part of WCAG's recommendations are
    applicable for PDF documents).

    Note! Naturally, PAC can not take account of those WCAG
    test criteria in which a judgmental assessment of a matter
    by a human being must be made
    .


    PDF/UA Foundation - PAC WCAG Check - Correct - The WCAG Requirements Checked by PAC Are Fulfilled - Accessible PDF - Banner

    The above message is displayed by PAC when a PDF
    document meets the applicable WCAG success criteria
    which can be tested automatically by software.

    It remains to be tested whether the document meets
    WCAG's other success criteria.
    When even those requirements are met, and that
    the document complies with the PDFU/A standard,
    the document can be published as an accessible PDF
    on the entity's websites.


    PDF/UA Foundation - PAC WCAG Check - Error - The PDF File Is Not WCAG Compliant - Not An Accessible PDF - Banner

    The above error message is displayed by the PAC when a
    PDF document does not comply with one or more
    applicable WCAG success criteria which can be tested
    automatically by software.

    Such a PDF document is not accessible for everyone.

    Recommended action:
    Do not publish the document on public facing websites.
    Do not accept the document, return it to responsible instance
    for remediation - Re-do it, do it right!


    PDF/UA Foundation - PAC WCAG Check - Warning - Possible Issue. This PDF File Is Not WCAG Compliant - Not An Accessible PDF - Icon

    Warning message filed by PAC WCAG Check
    on detected possible WCAG issue.
    Review the content and make any necessary corrections!


    If your PDF document does not pass
    the WCAG validation:


    Check your own PDF files with PAC
    for compliance with WCAG:




For more information contact NewFormat


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tel:+46 (0)70 631 53 01

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