Achieving PDF Accessibility for Global Compliance

Gavel and globe with international flags indicating penalties of inaccessible PDFs.

Achieving PDF Accessibility for Global Compliance

As global businesses embrace digitization, they are moving towards more similar digital standards, including those for digital accessibility. Laws like the European Accessibility Act and similar mandates across Canada, Asia, and Australia are pushing organizations to ensure their digital content is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Luckily, there are more similarities than differences in digital accessibility laws.

One of the primary file formats global organizations use to distribute content is PDFs. PDF accessibility ensures that users with disabilities—such as visual and mobility impairments or cognitive challenges—can access the same content as everyone else. Global compliance requirements demand that organizations pay attention to digital accessibility across all platforms, and PDFs are no exception. 

How Do Organizations Manage Global Compliance?

Much of the legislation around the world, despite its variations, defers to the guidance of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), “an international public-interest non-profit organization where Member organizations, a full-time staff, and the public work together to develop Web standards.” Many countries define digital accessibility compliance by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines that were developed by the W3C. In many cases, if you are meeting one country’s legal digital accessibility requirements, you are meeting the others as well. 

Comparing Global Digital Accessibility Legislation

Canadian Accessible Canada Act (ACA)

The Accessible Canada Act (ACA), introduced in 2019, is a comprehensive framework that aims to create a barrier-free Canada by 2040. The ACA covers accessibility in both public and private sectors and applies to federal government services, federally regulated sectors, and private organizations that work with these entities. The ACA mandates digital accessibility compliance to WCAG 2.0 AA, requiring organizations to ensure that all electronic communications, including PDFs, are fully accessible.

International organizations that operate in Canada or have a Canadian customer base need to align their accessibility efforts with ACA requirements. Accessible PDFs are a core component of digital communication, and failing to provide accessible documents can lead to the exclusion and alienation of Canadian customers with disabilities.

European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) sets a strong foundation for accessibility across the European Union (EU). Enacted in 2019, the EAA mandates that key digital services and products, such as websites and mobile apps, must be accessible to people with disabilities and meet WCAG 2.1 AA. The deadline to adhere to the EAA is June 28, 2025. A monitoring process is being established and content found noncompliant after the 2025 deadline may be subject to a complaint process that could result in penalties and fines. 

The EAA specifically addresses the accessibility of digital content like PDFs used in public and private sectors, such as finance, healthcare, and e-commerce. 

This makes PDF accessibility an absolute necessity for businesses aiming to operate within Europe or serve European customers. By making your PDFs accessible, you not only comply with EAA but also extend your reach to a wider audience across Europe.

Australian Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)

Australia’s Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) of 1992 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, covering many areas including employment, education, and the provision of goods and services. The DDA has been interpreted to apply to digital accessibility, including websites, mobile apps, and digital documents like PDFs. This law mandates that organizations provide accessible content to individuals with disabilities and aligns closely with international standards such as WCAG.

Global companies with operations in Australia or serving Australian clients must prioritize PDF accessibility to avoid legal ramifications under the DDA. Accessible PDFs enhance the experience for users with disabilities and reduce the risk of non-compliance lawsuits.

Accessibility Regulations in Asia

Across Asia, countries like Japan, South Korea, and India have also introduced accessibility regulations that impact international organizations operating in the region. For example, Japan’s Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities emphasizes the need for equal access to public services, including digital content. Similarly, South Korea’s Act on Welfare of Persons with Disabilities requires digital accessibility compliance.

While Asia may not have a single unified accessibility law like the EU’s EAA, individual countries are making significant strides toward ensuring digital inclusion. PDF accessibility is a crucial component for businesses that want to operate successfully in Asian markets, comply with these emerging laws, and cater to the needs of a diverse customer base.

Benefits of PDF Accessibility for International Organizations

Legal Compliance and Risk Avoidance

As global accessibility laws continue to expand, organizations that fail to comply face lawsuits, fines, and other legal consequences. By proactively remediating PDFs and ensuring they meet WCAG standards, businesses can avoid costly legal battles and maintain compliance with international accessibility regulations.

Enhanced Customer Reach and Inclusivity

Accessible PDFs make content usable for individuals with disabilities, which in turn broadens your audience. One in seven people globally lives with a disability, and by making your PDFs accessible, you include a large segment of the population that is often overlooked. This can enhance customer loyalty, boost your brand’s reputation, and open up new market opportunities.

Improved User Experience

Accessibility measures, while essential for individuals with disabilities, often lead to improvements in the overall user experience. For example, accessible PDFs with proper tagging and structure make it easier for all users, regardless of ability, to navigate and understand the content. These improvements can result in higher engagement rates, better customer experiences, and increased overall satisfaction.

Long-Term Business Sustainability

In an ever-evolving regulatory environment, businesses that prioritize accessibility are better equipped to handle future changes in compliance laws. As accessibility becomes a core aspect of doing business globally, organizations that have already implemented accessible practices will be able to adapt more quickly to new regulations and will future-proof their business operations against changing accessibility requirements.

How Equidox Simplifies Global PDF Accessibility Compliance

Achieving PDF accessibility compliance across international regions can be challenging, but tools like Equidox make the process efficient and manageable. Equidox is a leader in developing AI-driven solutions that quickly remediate inaccessible PDFs to comply with domestic and international accessibility standards.

Here’s how Equidox solves global accessibility compliance:

AI-Powered SaaS: Equidox Software automates much of the tagging process required to make PDFs accessible, reducing the time and manual effort needed for remediation. The simple-to-use interface allows even users with limited technical accessibility knowledge to remediate PDFs quickly, making it an ideal solution for businesses looking to streamline accessibility efforts.

Fully automated high-volume solution: Equidox AI fully automates PDF remediation for organizations dealing with a large number of templated or repetitive documents. It is a cost-effective solution applicable when manual remediation and meeting shifting deadlines is impractical and unsustainable. Equidox’s high-volume processing capabilities ensure that all PDFs are made accessible on time while remaining fully compliant with accessibility standards.

By leveraging tools developed by Equidox, international organizations can efficiently meet the accessibility standards required by various global jurisdictions, ensuring that all users have equal access to their content.

Global inclusion just makes sense

Addressing global accessibility regulations for  PDF accessibility not only helps avoid legal risks but also provides tangible business benefits, such as expanded market reach, improved customer satisfaction, and enhanced brand reputation. With tools like Equidox simplifying the process, achieving global PDF accessibility compliance is both attainable and advantageous for businesses operating in multiple regions.

By investing in PDF accessibility today, international organizations can ensure they are prepared for the future while supporting a more inclusive and accessible digital world.

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Tammy Albee

Tammy Albee | Director of Marketing | Equidox Tammy joined Equidox after four years of experience working at the National Federation of the Blind. She firmly maintains that accessibility is about reaching everyone, regardless of ability, and boosting your market share in the process. "Nobody should be barred from accessing information. It's what drives our modern society."