For the purposes of this tutorial, we will focus on converting MS Office documents like Word and PowerPoint.

Usually, accessible PDF files are “tagged” documents. Tags are hidden accessible elements that provide structure for screen readers. PDF files are usually created from applications such as Microsoft Word or PowerPoint but there are many more. Not all applications support the creation of accessible PDFs. The following table lists some common applications and the quality of the tags structure that they can export:

Source – Tags Structure Quality: WebAIM

Source Application	Good tags structure	No/poor tags structure
Adobe Illustrator		✓
Adobe InDesign	✓
Canva		✓
Google Docs		✓
Google Slides		✓
Microsoft PowerPoint	✓
Microsoft Word	✓

Using MS Office

It is important that your source document has the accessibility features outlined in the Accessible Word or Accessible PowerPoint tutorials. Creating accessible PDF files depends on the accessibility of the original document like the use of headings, alt text for images and colour contrast etc. for example.

1. Click File > Save As and choose where you want the file to be saved.
2. In the Save As dialog box, choose PDF in the Save as type list.
3. Click Options

This opens a new dialogue window. With the Options dialogue open, check Document structure tags for accessibility and check Create bookmarks using and the Headings option.