Are you working on digital content? If so, chances are you’ve heard of WCAG. But if you are dealing with PDFs, too, WCAG alone won’t be enough. That’s where PDF/UA steps in. Both aim to improve accessibility according to international accessibility standards, but they serve different formats and needs.
Understanding how they work together is crucial to creating inclusive and compliant content. So, let’s dive into the details of PDF/UA vs. WCAG!
What is PDF/UA?
PDF/UA stands for PDF Universal Accessibility. It’s an ISO standard (ISO 14289) that provides detailed instructions on creating accessible PDF files. These files are accessible to screen readers and other assistive technologies.
PDF/UA focuses on tagging elements, setting up document structure, and adding metadata. These tools can accurately interpret the file.
What is WCAG?
WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Developed by the W3C, it’s a global standard for making web content, like websites, apps, and forms, accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG is based on four main principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust (POUR).
Key Differences Between PDF/UA and WCAG
While both standards promote accessibility, they focus on different content types and have distinct goals, methods, and use cases. Let’s break down how PDF/UA and WCAG compare across various aspects.
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Content-Type
- PDF/UA is specifically designed for PDF documents. It ensures that PDFs are structured in a way that assistive technologies, like screen readers, can interpret them accurately. This involves proper use of tags, consistent reading order, and embedded metadata.
- WCAG is applied more broadly to web-based content. This includes websites, web applications, e-books, online forms, and multimedia content such as videos and animations. WCAG guides how to make this content usable for people with different disabilities.
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Use Cases
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PDF/UA is best suited for situations where content is distributed in PDF format and needs to remain accessible and intact across systems. Typical examples include:
- Government forms like tax returns or voter registration documents
- Business paperwork, such as insurance forms and job applications
- Financial statements, annual reports, or brochures shared with the public
- Archived documents that must remain accessible over time
- Making PDFs accessible with accessible finance reports
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WCAG, on the other hand, is essential for live and interactive digital platforms, such as:
- Company websites and public sector portals
- E-learning platforms and online reading materials
- Digital surveys, quizzes, and interactive forms
- Web and mobile apps are used for customer interaction or internal operations
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PDF/UA is best suited for situations where content is distributed in PDF format and needs to remain accessible and intact across systems. Typical examples include:
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Focus Area
- PDF/UA is all about making the structure readable. This includes headings, reading order, lists, and document tagging.
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WCAG centers on the POUR principles:
- Perceivable: Users must be able to perceive the content through sight or sound.
- Operable: It should work for all users, even with just a keyboard.
- Understandable: Language and interface must be easy to follow.
- Robust: Content should be compatible with current and future tools.
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Target Users
- PDF/UA supports content creators who work with PDFs, including publishers, document managers, and designers.
- WCAG guides web developers, content strategists, and accessibility teams working on digital platforms.
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Implementation Methods
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PDF/UA involves:
- Correct tagging for headings, lists, tables, and images
- Adding proper metadata (language, document title)
- Logical reading order and embedded fonts
- Ensuring content is selectable and screen-reader-friendly
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WCAG involves:
- Using semantic HTML elements
- Writing accessible CSS
- Making sure JavaScript works with screen readers
- Adding labels, alt text, and keyboard-friendly navigation
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PDF/UA involves:
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Type of Standard
- PDF/UA is recognized as a formal international standard (ISO 14289), affording it a strong legal and compliance standing across various industries.
- WCAG is not an ISO standard but is created and maintained by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It is globally recognized and widely used in web accessibility laws and policies.
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Compliance Levels
- PDF/UA follows a binary model. You either meet the PDF standards, or you don’t.
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WCAG Compliance Levels are as follows:-
- Level A (basic)
- Level AA (recommended standard for most sites)
- Level AAA (most comprehensive)
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Practical Scenarios
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PDF/UA is commonly used when organizations need to:
- Publish accessible government or legal forms
- Archive official records in a format that remains readable over time
- Distribute brochures, manuals, or whitepapers in an inclusive format
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WCAG plays a key role when:
- A company is launching or redesigning a website
- Developers are building user interfaces or navigation systems
- Schools or training platforms are making e-learning content accessible
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PDF/UA is commonly used when organizations need to:
PDF/UA VS WCAG: A Quick Overview
| Feature | PDF/UA | WCAG |
|---|---|---|
| Content-Type | PDF documents | Web content (HTML, videos, interfaces) |
| Standard Body | ISO 14289 | W3C |
| Focus | Tagging, structure, and metadata | POUR: Perceivable, operable, etc. |
| Implementation | Tags, metadata, logical reading | HTML/CSS/JS, labels, text alternatives |
| Compliance | Pass or fail | Level A, AA, or AAA |
| Users | PDF designers and publishers | Web developers and content strategists |
| Used for | Reports, forms, and brochures | Websites, apps, e-learning tools |
Most Common Misconceptions About PDF/UA and WCAG
Next time, if someone tells you or believes the following misinformation, please correct them with the facts.
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WCAG Covers Everything, Including PDFs
Not entirely. While WCAG offers good accessibility practices, it doesn’t define how PDFs should be structured. That’s PDF/UA’s job. If your document lacks proper tagging, screen readers may miss important content, even if it meets WCAG standards.
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PDF/UA is Only Needed for Official Papers
Actually, any PDF that’s meant for people, whether it's a sales brochure, user guide, or newsletter, should be made accessible. PDF/UA ensures that all users, including those using assistive tech, can understand and navigate it.
How Continual Engine Helps With Accessibility?
Continual Engine offers tools and services that help you meet both PDF/UA and WCAG standards. Whether you are starting fresh or retrofitting old documents and websites, our support includes the following:
- Full accessibility audits
- Document remediation
- Web testing and compliance
- Tools to automate parts of the accessibility workflow
We simplify complex compliance tasks and help ensure your content meets legal and ethical standards.
To conclude, PDF/UA and WCAG are not interchangeable. Instead, they are complementary. While one handles web accessibility, the other makes your PDFs usable and readable. For truly inclusive digital content, use both standards together.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Do WCAG and PDF/UA overlap in any way?
Indeed, there is a significant overlap between the PDF/UA (Universal Accessibility) and WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards, particularly in terms of PDF accessibility.
Despite WCAG's primary focus on web content, many of its success criteria and guiding principles apply to the organization and usability of PDF documents.
The accessibility standards for PDF documents are specifically addressed by PDF/UA, which also provides more comprehensive guidelines for making the PDF format accessible.
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How can I make sure my PDFs are WCAG and PDF/UA compliant?
There are many ways to ensure your PDFs are WCAG and PDF/UA compliant. Some of the proven ones are:-
- Make use of accessibility-focused authoring tools such as Continual Engine
- Carry out manual inspections
- Adhere to best practices for structure and tagging
- Collaborate with remediation services or accessibility specialists.
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Who must adhere to the PDF/UA and WCAG standards?
Organizations in industries that provide digital material that is visible to the public usually need to adhere to these standards. This is because they must comply with legal accessibility requirements, such as the ADA, Section 508 (U.S.), or EN 301 549 (EU). Some examples of such sectors include the government, education, healthcare, and finance.
