Adobe API Makes PDFs More Accessible
Adobe has recently released an API that allows people to make PDFs more accessible in a quicker and more efficient way. The service uses artificial intelligence to recognise the documents’ structure and assigns label tags to each one. The API identifies headings, paragraphs, lists, and tables, and sets the reading order, making it easier for those with disabilities, visual impairments, or dyslexia to navigate through the content.
Manual organisation for each piece of content by users was previously necessary. Now the process has been automated, saving time and money. The PDF Accessibility Auto-Tag API, powered by Adobe’s generative AI system, Sensei, can also be applied to large files. Adobe claims that using this feature results in a 70 to 100 percent reduction in the time required to make files more accessible.
Additionally, the Accessibility Auto-Tag helps PDF documents comply with current accessibility regulations. Adobe reports that more than 90 percent of PDF files in circulation are at least partially inaccessible to people with disabilities, appearing blank, blurry, or as lines of distorted text.”
The API is available to integrate into PDFs immediately. Adobe plans to launch two more features this fall that will enhance accessibility. The PDF Accessibility Checker verifies the accessibility of PDF files. Moreover, the auto-tag feature available in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows customers to see accessible content directly without needing a separate extension.
Acrobat Reader was recently integrated into Microsoft’s Edge browser to enhance accessibility. However, Acrobat Reader has previously had a history of malware problems.
