Accessibility isn't optional.
It's how over a billion people access your work.
The World Health Organization estimates that over 1.3 billion people live with some form of disability, approximately 1 in 6 people globally (World Health Organization, 2023). When a PDF is inaccessible, important information may become harder for real people to use.
Who is affected
Accessibility is not a niche concern. These are mainstream populations with mainstream needs.
Blind users
~43 million globally (WHO, 2023)
Rely entirely on screen readers like JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver. An untagged or poorly structured PDF may be silent to assistive technology, leaving important content unavailable.
Low vision
285 million globally (WHO, 2023)
Need high contrast, large text, or screen magnification. Insufficient contrast ratios and fixed small fonts can make documents difficult or impossible to read.
Color blindness
1 in 12 men · 1 in 200 women
Cannot distinguish certain hues, with red/green differences among the most common. Charts and forms that use color alone may need text or pattern alternatives.
Cognitive & learning disabilities
Autism, dyslexia, ADHD
Benefit from clear heading structure, plain language, and predictable reading order. Poor structure can make a PDF harder to understand and navigate.
Motor disabilities
Keyboard & voice nav users
May rely on keyboard or voice navigation. Forms without accessible labels, and documents that trap keyboard focus, can make basic tasks difficult to complete.
Aging population
Presbyopia after age 45
Contrast sensitivity and near vision decline with age. Contrast barriers that fall short of WCAG AA guidance may affect many existing customers and readers.
Situational disabilities
Everyone, sometimes
Reading a phone in bright sunlight, using a laptop with a broken mouse, or operating with one hand while holding a child: situational barriers can affect anyone.
Deaf & hard of hearing
1.5 billion with hearing loss (WHO, 2023)
PDFs that rely on audio content without transcripts or captions, or forms that use audio CAPTCHA only, may exclude users who cannot hear instructions.
The legal landscape
Accessibility is good practice and a growing legal expectation in many markets.
United States: ADA Title III
HIGH RISKADA Title III has been interpreted by some courts and enforcement contexts to apply to digital documents. Public trackers report more than 4,600 ADA Title III federal lawsuits annually in recent years, with digital accessibility a frequent focus area. PDFs such as catalogs, menus, manuals, statements, and forms may be included in complaints. (UsableNet / Seyfarth Shaw ADA trackers)
United States: Section 508
HIGH RISKFederal agencies and their contractors must make electronic documents accessible under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. PDF accessibility gaps in government procurement contexts can trigger reviews and contract penalties. (Section 508)
European Union: EAA (European Accessibility Act)
HIGH RISKApplicable since June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act affects areas such as banking, e-commerce, e-books, transportation, and digital media. Member states set their own enforcement and fine structures, so obligations can vary by jurisdiction. (European Accessibility Act, 2025)
Canada: AODA
MEDIUM RISKOntario's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act sets accessibility requirements for public-sector bodies and many large private organizations. Enforcement exposure varies by context and can be significant. (AODA Ontario)
Mexico: LGIPD
MEDIUM RISKThe Ley General para la Inclusión de las Personas con Discapacidad establishes rights related to accessible information. Public institutions and private organizations may face increasing expectations around accessible digital documents. (LGIPD)
This is not legal advice. Consult an attorney specializing in digital accessibility law for your jurisdiction.
How inaccessible PDFs can affect people
Behind many accessibility barriers is a real person trying to complete a real task.
The blind student who may not be able to read the course syllabus
A university posts a 40-page PDF syllabus with no tags, no heading structure, and key dates embedded in a scanned image table. A student using NVDA may hear silence or a wall of garbled text, making deadlines difficult to find.
The veteran who may not be able to complete the benefits form
A fillable PDF form from a public agency has unlabeled form fields. A screen reader announces "edit text" with no indication of what to enter. A veteran with a service-related visual impairment may spend far longer than expected on a basic form.
The older customer who may struggle to read the bank statement
A bank sends monthly PDF statements with 8pt light gray text on white. At age 67, presbyopia and declining contrast sensitivity can make the text difficult to read without magnification. The customer may need extra support for routine information.
The job applicant who may not be able to read the job description
A company posts a job description as a scanned PDF image with no OCR and no tags. A blind applicant's screen reader may announce a 2-page PDF and read nothing useful. Depending on jurisdiction, this may create potential accessibility risk and a missed hiring opportunity.
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