Summary PDFs are widely used across government, education and business, but many are not accessible...
Summary
PDFs are widely used across government, education and business, but many are not accessible for people with disability. This blog outlines five common mistakes in accessible PDF creation that we see regularly in the remediation work we do and explains how to fix them — helping organisations stay compliant and inclusive.
In 2025, accessibility is no longer a nice-to-have. It is a legal and social expectation. Whether you’re a government agency, an education provider or an NDIS-funded organisation, making your digital content accessible is part of providing inclusive service. That includes the documents you publish — especially PDFs.
Yet many PDFs remain inaccessible to people who use screen readers or keyboard navigation. That’s where document remediation comes in.
Accessible document remediation is the process of fixing digital files, like PDFs and Word documents, so that they meet accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1, 2.2 and PDF/UA. It ensures that all users, including those who are blind, have low vision, are neurodivergent or elderly, can access the content.
Why accessible documents matter in 2025
Australian regulations and global standards are continuing to tighten around accessibility. The Digital Service Standard, Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) all impact how documents should be created and shared.
Organisations that fail to meet these standards risk more than just complaints. They can lose the trust of their communities, fail to meet compliance requirements, and unintentionally exclude people who rely on accessible formats for equal participation.
In a world that increasingly values digital equity, accessible documents show leadership, care and professionalism.
What does document remediation involve?
Remediating a document goes far beyond running an accessibility checker. It involves:
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Applying correct tag structures so screen readers can interpret content
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Fixing reading order to match the visual layout
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Adding meaningful alt text for images and graphics
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Ensuring logical table structure for assistive tech
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Checking font, colour contrast and text clarity
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Making sure form fields and links are navigable by keyboar
This work requires both technical skills and an understanding of how different people access content. Automated tools can assist, but they often miss key issues. That’s why human expertise remains essential.
Who is responsible for accessible documents?
Everyone who shares digital information has a role to play. For public sector teams, it’s a legal obligation. For businesses and service providers, it’s a chance to reach more people and demonstrate inclusive practice.
Inaccessible documents can be a barrier to services, employment and education. Remediation ensures that these materials are readable, navigable and usable for all Australians.
Meet Aandi: Supporting your compliance journey
At Meet Aandi, we specialise in accessible document remediation. Our team is trusted by schools, local councils, government departments and community organisations across Australia.
We take the time to understand your audience and content. Whether it’s one report or hundreds of forms, we’ll make sure your files meet WCAG and PDF/UA requirements — and that they are genuinely accessible to real users.
We use both automated and manual testing, combining smart technology with skilled tagging and review. If you need help creating accessible templates or training your team, we can do that too.
Accessibility isn’t just a requirement — it’s a reflection of your organisation’s values. Let us help you lead with inclusion.
