PDF Forms Accessibility

Introduction

Document forms icon.

Creating fillable PDF forms has become a popular method of publishing digital forms in a document format. Making an听accessible听PDF form requires not only an understanding of听PDF accessibility听but also knowledge of听form accessibility.

PDF Accessibility + Form Accessibility = Accessible PDF Form

NOTE: Accessible PDF Form making requires an understanding of PDF Accessibility. Go to听UDC鈥檚 PDF Accessibility Tutorials听to learn more about this first.

What does an accessible PDF form need?

There are 6 key items to be familiar with when creating an accessible PDF form:

  1. Form Name:听The form name is the equivalent to a form label. All fields require a unique name. This name is the identification marker that will allow for creating an accessible fillable form.
  2. Tooltips:听The tooltip is a description of the form field that can be viewed when hovering over the field. It is also essential for accessibility because the tooltip is what a screen reader will read out to a screen reader user.听听
  3. Required field indicator: If a form field is required, a required field indicator must be included in the form. Adding required fields to a PDF form requires a few steps to ensure a screen reader can identify a required field.
  4. Tags:听All accessible PDF鈥檚 require tags so that a screen reader can read the document.
  5. Reading Order:听The reading order dictates how a screen reader will read the document to a screen reader user. The reading order and tab order must be consistent with each other.
  6. Tab Order: The tab order dictates how all users can navigate the form using the 鈥渢ab鈥� key. The tab order must correctly reflect how form fields are viewed across the page to ensure all users can accurately fill out the form.

Guide and Checklist