PDF/UA


PDF/UA stands for PDF/Universal Accessibility. It's a formal standard, officially ISO 14289, designed to ensure that PDF documents are accessible to people with disabilities. PDF/UA outlines the requirements for creating accessible PDFs so that PDF documents can be used by everyone, regardless of their abilities. These requirements align closely with WCAG standards. To ensure a PDF is truly accessible, it must meet both PDF/UA and WCAG criteria.

PDF/UA requirements primarily focus on the following areas (Albee, 2025):

  • Tagged elements
  • Document metadata
  • Navigation aids
  • Consistency in labeling

The PDF/UA are outlined in In This Section, similar to how it is organized on PAC24 or AxesCheck.

Reference: Albee, T. (2025, January 28). Understanding PDF Accessibility Standards. Equidox.