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Re: PDFs: Logical Reading Order and Tags

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From: Moore,Michael (Accessibility) (HHSC)
Date: Jun 1, 2016 7:11AM

In my experience these are the most important items.

1. The tag order should match the reading order. Unless something has changed recently the major screen readers follow the tag order for reading content.

2. Table structure - the tag structure for a table must be correct, including table headers and header and id's if necessary. Without this much of the meaning for the tables is lost.

3. List structure - the same thing is true here too. If single lists are broken into multiple lists this makes it more difficult to understand the content when it read using a screen reader.

4. Heading structure. Are headings at logical levels within the context of the document and are they nested appropriately.

The actual tag used may or may not be important as long as it maps to the correct structure. This can be controlled in either InDesign or Acrobat Pro - this is best set up in InDesign that way the final tags don't look so strange.

Some good tests with the screen reader.

Run a headings list. The headings list should provide a good outline of the document.

Scan the lists. Are the lists complete and nested correctly.

Scan the tables - use table reading commands to test that headers are being reported correctly.

Read by paragraph. Does what the screen reader thinks is a complete paragraph match what visually exists in the document or are there extra breaks.

Mike Moore
Accessibility Coordinator
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Civil Rights Office
(512) 438-3431 (Office)