PDF and document downloads are accessible (proper tagging, logical reading order) or alternative accessible version provided

PDF documents that are scanned images, untagged, or exported without accessibility settings are effectively invisible to screen readers—the document exists as a visual artifact with no machine-readable structure. Screen reader users cannot extract headings, read table data, or complete embedded forms. Section 508 2018 Refresh 504.2 requires electronic documents to conform to file-format-specific accessibility standards (PDF/UA, WCAG 2.2 SC 1.3.1). Annual reports, grant applications, policy documents, and compliance filings distributed as inaccessible PDFs shut out blind users from legally required public information.

For critical documents that must remain PDFs, remediate using Adobe Acrobat Pro's Accessibility Checker: add document tags, set reading order, define language, and ensure all form fields have accessible names. Export with File > Save As > Accessible PDF.

For documents where PDF accessibility remediation is impractical, provide an accessible HTML alternative:

// In your resources or downloads component
<li>
  <a href="/files/annual-report-2024.pdf">
    Annual Report 2024 (PDF, 4.1 MB)
  </a>
  {' — '}
  <a href="/reports/annual-2024">
    View accessible HTML version
  </a>
</li>

All download links must identify file type and size so users can make informed decisions about download before initiating it.