Revolutionizing Access: PDF Remediation Trends 2024

Portable Document Formats (PDFs) have a significant use in document sharing and presentation. However, the static form of PDFs creates challenges when it comes to making them accessible for people suffering from different impairments. Hence, businesses look for the best PDF remediation solutions to handle the accessibility of their documents.

So today, let us understand its details in this writeup. We’ll go through its key aspects and the top trending concepts in PDF remediation in 2024.

What is PDF Remediation

It is the dedicated process of improving or modifying PDFs to create accessible documents for people suffering from different impairments. Hence, PDF remediation focuses on creating PDFs that are accessible for people suffering from temporary or permanent cognitive, motor, auditory, or visual impairments.

Static PDFs create issues for assistive technologies like screen readers, magnifiers, and other tools. Its needs are way different from the multimedia content which can be handled with quick measures like autoplay video accessibility for video content.

Hence, PDFs are remediated to address these possible challenges and make them accessible and compatible on different platforms.

The top aspects covered in the PDF remediation are:

Precise document structure

It ensures that the PDF has a proper logical and clear structure with tables, lists, and headings.

Use of hyperlink descriptions

The detailed description of hyperlinks help understand where it will lead for people with impairments.

Conducting thorough testing

A thorough testing is necessary for defining the accessibility of the PDF.

Textual description for images and interactive elements

It is important to add the textual description for images, graphs, and charts for quick understanding of screen readers. Further, it is easy to add accessible interactive elements.

Considering the right balance between color and contrast

It is essential to maintain the right balance between the color and contrast of the text and background.

Metadata for documents

The metadata for PDFs offers information on language, author, title, and other details.

Top PDF Remediation Trends in 2024

After having a quick overview of remediation, below are the key trends in 2024:

Use of the automated PDF remediation tools

The use of automated PDF remediation tools will rule the upcoming trends in the accessibility markets. These tools are powered by artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms to create accessible PDFs automatically. It is easy for these tools to ensure that the document is compliant with the accessibility standards, rectifies the improper content structure, and handles missing alternative text for images.

The use of automated tools in remediating PDFs further reduces the manual workload and makes it feasible for companies to address accessibility concerns. The creation of more sophisticated and responsive automated tools is expected with the advancements in technologies.

Quick integration with the document creation software

The modern trends are towards integrating the remediation features of the PDF directly with the document creation software. Hence, it is easy for the users to address the accessibility concerns in real time during the PDF creation rather than making remediation a different process.

It is becoming possible with the use of the built-in accessibility checkers and features in popular document creation tools. Hence, users can quickly ensure color contrast compliances, create proper heading structures, and add alternative texts to the content. Hence, it not only prioritizes accessibility but focuses on seamless integration with the existing workflow.

Use of the artificial intelligence-driven Natural Language Processing (NLP)

If asked for a technology revolutionizing PDF accessibility is to use Natural Language Processing (NLP) powered by artificial intelligence. The modern NLP algorithms can quickly interpret and understand the content context. It helps them to create contextually relevant alternative text for images and other non-text elements along with precise information.

The use of NLP backed with AI is set to revolutionize PDFs involving industry-specific jargon, technical terms, and complex languages. Hence, the aim is to make accessible PDFs to ensure language inclusivity.

Making accessible PDFs through multiple senses

Another positive trend in PDF remediation is to focus on making PDFs that are accessible through multiple senses. It allows the screen readers to interpret the text and contextual audio within the document and incorporate the audio descriptions for visual content.

Further, modern technologies like 3D printing help in the representation of the different graphical information in PDFs. It helps people with different impairments like visual and cognitive to understand PDFs better.

Adhering to global standards and compliances

Last but not least, it is important for the businesses to adhere to the global accessibility standards. Hence, the modern PDFs must focus on establishing and enforcing the global accessibility standards. Hence, it ensures that the digital content meets the different accessibility criteria.

Hence, global standards and compliance are set to be the center of attraction for businesses. With the rise in demand, there is a significant rise in creating PDFs accessible to global standards and compliances.

Summing Thoughts

Making accessible PDFs is a requirement for several businesses. With the advancement in technology and accessibility tools, it is easy for businesses to revolutionize the PDF remediation process. The trends are positive for the increasing demand for making PDFs accessible.

Not to miss is a quick look at these top trends in making PDFs accessible in 2024.