Just because we can see the text on a PDF doesn’t mean a computer can read it out loud. If your document is “untagged,” it is invisible to assistive technology.
Check out the quick guide below to learn how to quickly unlock these documents for your students!
What is an “Untagged PDF”?
- What This Means: The PDF is missing its hidden structural layout. It does not have the proper labels for things like headings, tables, or descriptions for its pictures. To a computer, it just looks like one big, flat image.
- Why This Matters: When a PDF does not have these labels, screen-reading software cannot read the words out loud. For students with visual impairments, the document might appear completely blank or impossible to navigate. Adding these tags ensures that all students can read your course materials and change them into formats that work best for their learning needs.
💡 Pro-Tip for Content Creators: Prevent this issue entirely by creating your original document in Microsoft Word or Google Docs using proper headings, then selecting “Save as Accessible PDF” when exporting!
