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Re: Does PDF.JS render acccessible PDF experience?

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From: Jon Metz
Date: Jun 18, 2024 11:09AM

Hi Birkir!

PDF.js parses a PDF using the HTML5 Canvas element. It does not look at the tag structure of the PDF (probably for security purposes). I believe that if you also download the PDF from the browser, it is the same as 'printing' it from the browser, so it's not the same file that was properly tagged.

Here's an article that goes into better detail about how pdf.js works:

https://pdfjs.express/blog/how-pdf-js-works

HTH!
Jon Metz

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of Birkir R. Gunnarsson
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 7:51 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: [WebAIM] Does PDF.JS render acccessible PDF experience?

I'm working with a group that is considering using this solution for PDF
files:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://github.com/mozilla/pdf.js*online-demo__;Iw!!A7EtB5C7gltH1xvgflR8MP4!GuhdCtxAZUPPA3xodMhCS8qdSf9bAVKJnkFL1x6gUC7mzzY6o5Niy1T1YworpQi3qJ5fxhSejRWQ9c0caqokCU9S$


I'm curious if anyone has ever worked with it, i.e. fed it an accessible (fully tagged) PDF file and verified that it renders an accessible screen reader user experience.
I've seen a couple of examples that look less than accessible but I found those in the wil and have not verified the PDF files themselves.
Ultimately I'll have to build this and try it out, but if someone already has experience with it, I always appreciate knowing what to expect. ;) Thanks -Birkir
--
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