PDFs are one of the major areas of focus in terms of web accessibility. The challenges of PDFs are similar to those of a website. For instance, a screen reader has to form an overview of headings, tables, lists etc. – unless these are specifically marked up when the PDF is generated.
Generally speaking: Avoid PDFs on your web page if you can. For example, they provide a bad user experience on mobile platforms due to lack of scaling (you often have to both zoom and scroll horizontally to read a PDF file on a mobile phone).
Correctly marked-up PDF
At the end of the day, if you need to generate PDFs, use the accessibility tools that are available in the formats on which the PDF is often based, such as Word or InDesign.
In addition, all employees have access to Adobe Acrobat Pro, which also enables you to check your finalised PDF file in terms of web accessibility.
The exception
Documents (PDF or Word format) published before 23 September 2018 and which aren’t required for what the Agency for Digitisation calls ‘active administrative processes’, are exempt from the requirements of the Web Accessibility Act.