PDF Accessibility - Test Procedures & Requirements - Visa Accessibility

VGAR Test Procedures - PDF

PDF Accessibility - Test Procedures & Requirements

The Visa Global Accessibility Requirements (VGAR) is a combination of requirements and complimentary test procedures that help teams create and verify accessible PDF documents.

For accessibility testing, the tester simply executes the test cases and determines whether each page in the PDF document being tested passes or fails the test case. When a failure is found, the tester then documents the failure and provides it to the development team for remediation.  The development team subsequently references both the identified failure and the corresponding requirement to assist in the remediation effort.

Test Order

The following table contains the VGAR PDF test cases, they are ordered for the ideal test execution.
Test Order Name Test Tool Test Procedure Pass Fail Outcomes
1 PDF-1-1 Use an Automated Testing Tool Adobe Acrobat Pro/PDF Accessibility Checker(PAC)(Preferred) 1) Execute the accessibility checker and analyze the results
2) Verify that there are no issues to report (i.e, PDF/UA-1 compliant)		 Pass = Issues are not reported by Accessibility Checker
Fail = Issues are reported by Accessibility Checker
2 PDF-5-1 Language of the Document Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Open the document in Adobe Acrobat Pro and navigate to File > Properties>Advanced Tab
2) Verify that the language used matches the content of the page.		 Pass = A valid language is specified.
Fail = A valid language is not specified.
3 PDF-1-2 Document Title Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Open the document in Adobe Acrobat Pro and navigate to File > Properties.
2) Verify that the document title is both correct and informative
3) Select the 'Initial View' tab and verify that 'Document Title' is chosen in the 'Window Options' dropdown		 Pass = The document has a title that is relevant and explains its content, AND the initial view is set to 'Document Title'.
Fail = The document lacks a title, OR the title is not relevant OR it doesn't explain its content, OR the initial view isn't set to 'Document Title'.
4 PDF-6-1 Page Numbers Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for page numbers
2) Use the keyboard shortcut CMD/CTRL+Shift+N to open a 'Go To Page' dialogue
3) Enter a page number and click OK
4) Verify that the entered page numbers match the actual page numbers of the document(from header/footer)		 Pass = Page numbers in PDF reader accurately reflect the Document page number
Fail = Page numbers in PDF reader do not accurately reflect the document page number
NA = Page numbers are not available in the document
5 PDF-6-2 Bookmarks Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Open the document in Adobe Acrobat Pro
2) Open the bookmarks pane and verify that bookmarks are present		 Pass= Bookmarks are present
Fail = No bookmarks are present
NA = The document is less than 21 pages in length
6 PDF-2-1 Color Contrast Ratio Color Contrast Analyzer (CCA) 1) Use the CCA tool (or any similar tool) to analyze the color contrast ratio between text and its background, as well as images of text against their backgrounds.
2) Make sure the contrast ratio is at least 4.5:1. However, if the text is 18 point or 14 point bold or larger, a lower ratio of 3:1 is acceptable.		 Pass = Text meets the required minimum contrast ratio.
Fail = Text doesn't meet the minimum required contrast ratio.
NA = Text is part of an inactive UI component or purely decorative.
7 PDF-2-2 Non-Text Contrast ratio Color Contrast Analyzer (CCA) 1) Use the CCA tool (or any similar tool) to analyze the color contrast ratio between all significant user interface elements and graphics against the background.
2) Verify that there is a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 against adjacent colors including the background and other non-text objects		 Pass = All significant elements of the user interface and graphics maintain a 3:1 contrast ratio with surrounding colors.
Fail = Important user interface elements or graphics don't maintain a 3:1 contrast ratio with the colors around them.
8 PDF-4-1 Text Alternatives Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for all meaningful images
2) Verify the alt text for every image and ensure they are accurate and descriptive.
3) Verify that the alternative text is less than 150 characters long.
4) For complex images, verify that they have elaborative text descriptions(ideally in a close proximity to the image) rather than long alternative text strings that are more than 150 characters.		 Pass = All images have descriptive alt text shorter than 150 characters OR visible and elaborative text descriptions for complex images (e.g. graphs)
Fail = One or more images do not have alt text or visible elaborative text descriptions OR the alt text provided is not descriptive OR it is longer than 150 characters
NA = No images are present
9 PDF-4-2  Decorative Images Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for all decorative images 
2) Verify that every decorative image is appropriately marked as decorative or it is artifacted.		 Pass= All non-text decorative content has been properly marked as decorative or artifacted
Fail= Non-text decorative content has  NOT been labeled as an artifact.
NA =There is no non-text decorative content present.
10 PDF-4-3 Images with Captions Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for the presence of images with captions
2) Verify that caption text is tagged as
and is a child element of the
tag that contains the actual image
Pass = All the image captions are correctly tagged as
and are child elements of the
tag that contains the image.
Fail = Any image caption is not tagged as
or is not a child element of the
tag that contains the image.
NA = There are no images with captions are present.
11 PDF-4-4 No Images of Text Visual Inspection 1) Inspect the document for images that contain text.
2) Verify that information is conveyed using actual text instead of images that contain text.
The only exceptions are logos and instances where text within images is unavoidable, such as in graphs or screenshots. Pass =Images of text are not used
Fail =Images of text are used
NA =There are no images of the text present OR the images are exempt from the requirement
12 PDF-2-3 Not Only Color Visual Inspection 1) Perform a visual inspection of the document
2) Verify that whenever a difference in color is used to convey information, that information is also available in text or through some other alternative method.		 Pass = A non-color alternative is presented along with color
Fail = Only color is used to indicate meaning
NA = Color is not used to convey meaning
13 PDF-3-1 Semantic Tagging of Text Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Open the tags panel and review the tags
2) Verify that the tags selected are semantically appropriate for the content type in a logical reading order
3) Verify that if  non-standard (tag) structure types are used, they are mapped to the nearest functionally equivalent standard tags.
4) Verify that artifacts are not present in the tags tree		 Pass = The document is tagged and has semantically appropriate tags
Fail = The document is either untagged or has incorrect/non-semantic tags.
14 PDF-5-2 Tab and Reading Order Adobe Acrobat Pro/Keyboard 1) Use the Reading Order tool to verify the content is in the correct sequence.
2) Navigate through the page using a keyboard and verify that all interactive content appears in the right order when using the Tab key.		 Pass = The sequence of the content and the order of tabbing through interactive elements is correct.
Fail = Either the sequence of the content or the order of tabbing through interactive elements is incorrect.
15 PDF-8-1 Links and Link Text Screen Reader 1) Use a screen reader to go through the PDF document.
2) Verify that the link is read out properly and its description correctly indicates where the link leads to.
3) Verify the tag tree visually to ensure the links are correctly tagged as with a nested 'Link-OBJR' tag.
4) Use the Tab key to navigate to each link. Press Enter to verify that the link takes you to the intended target.		 Pass= All links are accurately tagged, easily read by a screen reader, can be activated using a keyboard, and the link text clearly states the link's purpose.
Fail = If any link is inaccurately tagged, cannot be read by a screen reader, can't be activated with a keyboard, or the link text does not clearly state the link's purpose.
NA = There are no links present in the document
16 PDF-5-3 Headers and Footers Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for running headers and footers
2) Verify that they are consistent on all pages
3) Verify that whether the content appears within the header or footer on multiple pages is redundant  or not
4) Verify that redundant content is marked as an artifact		 Pass = All headers and footers are consistent across the pages AND the redundant information is marked as an artifact
Fail = Any headers or footers are inconsistent across the pages OR the redundant information is not marked as an artifact
NA = No headers or footers are present in the document
17 PDF-3-2 Table of Contents Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for the presence of a Table of Contents
2) Verify that the Table of contents has links to the correct sections with in the document
3) Verify that all Table of Contents are correctly tagged as a .
4) Verify that all Table of Contents Items are appropriately tagged using the tag and nested under
5) Verify that contains the related tag with nested 'Link-OBJR' tag
6) Verify that the caption (if available) is tagged as
and placed as a first child element of
Pass = The table of contents links to the correct section within the document and it is correctly tagged using , , tags and a
tag if available.
Fail = The table of contents either doesn't link to the correct sections within the document OR it is not correctly tagged using , , and tags
NA = A table of Contents is not present
18 PDF-3-3 Headings Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for headings and corresponding tags
2)  Verify that all heading content is tagged as headings using only 

to

tags.
3) Verify that headings follow a sequential order without any
levels being skipped. For instance, the order should be Heading 1, followed by Heading 2, followed by Heading 3, and so on. There should be no omission of any numbers in the sequence.
 Pass = Heading texts are tagged using only

to

tags and headings follow a sequential order, increasing and decreasing by one level without any skips.
Fail = Heading texts are not tagged using

to

tags or Headings do not follow a sequential order and there are skips in the level increments.
19 PDF-7-1 Tables Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the documents for Tables
2) Verify that all content that resembles a table is correctly tagged as a .
3) Verify that all table rows are appropriately tagged using the tag.
4) Verify that table headers are tagged with
tags and have a defined scope and span (if applicable).
5) Verify that table data cells are properly tagged with 		tags.
6) Verify that table caption (if available) is tagged as
as its first or last child element of the tag.
Pass = All tabular data is correctly tagged with tags, row/column headers are marked with tags, table data cells are tagged with tags, table data cells are not tagged with
tags with an appropriate scope and Span attributes, Table rows are denoted with
tags, and table captions(if available) are tagged with

Fail = Any of the following conditions are not met: Tabular data is not tagged with Table tags, row/column headers are not tagged with
tags or they lack a proper scope and Span attributes, Table rows are not tagged with
tags, or table captions(if available) are not tagged with

NA = The content does not include any table elements.
20 PDF-3-4 Lists Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for the text that looks like a list
2) Verify that all Lists are correctly tagged as a .
3) Verify that all List Items are appropriately tagged using the
  • tag and nested under
    4) Verify that all bullets or numbers tagged using and nested under
  • as first child element
    4) Verify that List body content is tagged using and nested under
  • as a second child element
    6) Verify that caption(if available) is tagged as
    • and placed as a first child element of before first
    • Pass = All the lists are correctly tagged and properly nested using ,
  • , , and
    • if available.
    Fail = Any list is not tagged using ,
  • , , and
    • if available
    NA = No lists are present
    21 PDF-7-2 No Layout Tables Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Review the Tags panel in Acrobat for Table tags
    2) Confirm that no Table tags are used for layout purposes    		 Pass = Tables are not used for layout purposes
    Fail = Tables are used for layout purposes
    NA = No Table tags are present
    22 PDF-3-5  Footnotes and Endnotes Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for Footnotes and End notes
    2) Open the tags pane and review tags for all footnotes and endnotes.
    3) Verify that they are tagged rightly as
    4) Verify that each Note tag has unique entry in the ID key
    5) Verify that Note tag is always inside another block level tag
    6) Verify the footnotes are read immediately after the block level content where it was referenced(not end notes)    		 Pass= All footnotes and endnotes are correctly tagged as , each with unique IDs, and are in the correct reading order.
    Fail= One or more footnotes or endnotes are incorrectly tagged, lack unique IDs, or are not in the correct reading order.
    NA = The document has no footnotes or endnotes.
    23 PDF-5-4  Language of Parts Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Find words or phrases in the document that are in a different language than the rest of the content.
    2) Access the tags panel and identify the tags related to the content in the different language.
    3) Verify the properties of these tags to ensure the correct language is selected for each word or phrase    		 Pass = All words or phrases in a different language from the rest of the content have the correct language property set at the content level.
    Fail = Any words or phrases in a different language from the rest of the content do not have the correct language property set at the content level
    NA = The document doesn't contain any words or phrases in a language different from the main document language.
    24 PDF-3-6 Mathematical Expressions Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for Math equations and Formulas
    2) Access the tags panel and identify the tags related to the above content
    3) Verify that all math equations are rightly tagged as and have an alt text explaining the equation in words    		 Pass = All mathematical equations are tagged rightly as and have right alt text
    Fail = One or more mathematical equations are not tagged correctly
    NA = No mathematical equations are present
    25 PDF-9-1 Form controls Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for the presence of form fields
    2) Open the tags pane and review tags for all form fields
    3) Verify that they are correctly tagged using
    with a nested 'Field name-OBJR' tag.
    4) Verify that the tag appears after and at the same level as the tag containing the visual text label of the field.
    		 Pass = All form fields are tagged correctly using with a nested 'Field name-OBJR' tag and appears after and at the same level as the tag containing the visual text label of the field.
    Fail = Any of the form controls do not have tag with a nested 'Field name-OBJR' tag OR form tags do not appear after and at the same level as the tag containing the visual text label of the field.
    NA = Form fields/controls are not present
    26 PDF-9-2 Form-Tooltips Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for the presence of form fields
    2) Open the 'Prepare Form' tool and right-click on form fields to open the properties window.
    3) Verify that each form field has accurate, descriptive, and unique tooltips    		 Pass = All form fields have accurate, descriptive and unique tooltips
    Fail = Any of the form controls do not have accurate, descriptive and unique tooltips
    NA = Form fields/controls are not present
    27 PDF-9-3 Form-Radio Buttons Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Navigate to the 'Tags' panel in Acrobat and find each radio button element.
    2) Verify that visually grouped radio buttons share identical 'Name' and 'Title' attributes.
    3) Verify that the radio button choice is correct for each option    		 Pass = All radio buttons are accurately grouped and each has the correct choice option text.
    Fail = Radio buttons are either not grouped accurately or their Choice option text is incorrect.
    NA = There are no radio buttons present.
    28 PDF-9-4 Required Form Controls Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for the presence of 'Required' form fields that need to be filled in.
    2) Verify that visual form label includes the word 'required'
    3) Open the 'Prepare Form' tool and right-click on form fields to open the properties window.
    4) Verify that form's tooltip includes the word 'required'
    5) Under the common properties, Verify that "Required" check box is checked    		 Pass = Each required form field includes the word 'required' in its visual label and tooltip. Additionally, the 'required' checkbox in properties is checked.
    Fail =Any required form field does not include the word 'required' in its visual label or tooltip, or the 'required' checkbox in properties is not checked.
    NA = Required Form fields/controls are not present
    29 PDF-9-5 Form-Input Validation Visual Inspection 1) Inspect the document for the presence of form fields with added input validations
    2) Verify that  forms indicate when user input deviates from the required format and that the error messages are clear and accurate for all users including Assistive Technology users.    		 Pass = Error messages are clear and accurate for all users
    Fail =Error messages are not clear or accurate for all users
    NA = No Form fields/controls with input validations
    30 PDF-9-6 Target Size Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Inspect the document for the presence of form fields and controls
    2) Use the Adobe's 'Prepare Form' tool to find the height and width of a control
    3) Verify that each control has a width and height greater than or equal to 24px OR is less than 24px with sufficient spacing between controls(24px =.25in)
    EX: A 20px width “Cancel” button has its right most edge at least 4px away from a “Submit” button placed on the right.    		 Pass = Both height and width are greater than or equal to 24px OR less than 24px with sufficient spacing between controls.
    Fail = Either the height or width is less than 24px AND the center of the control is less than 24px from another control
    NA = Target is a link or button in a block of text that requires a specific presentation.
    31 PDF-10-1 No Blinking or Flashing Content Adobe Acrobat Pro 1) Open the document in Adobe Acrobat Pro and visually inspect the pages
    2) Confirm that no page contains content that flickers, blinks or flashes, either as effects controlled by JavaScript or as part of any videos embedded within the PDF.    		 Pass = Content that blinks or flashes is not used
    Fail = Content that blinks or flashes is used
    32 PDF-10-2  Captions for Video Visual Inspection 1) Inspect the document for the presence of videos
    2) Verify that all video content provides accurate captions via an accessible mechanism.    		 Pass = All video content provides captions
    Fail = Any video content does not provide captions
    NA = No videos are present in the doc
    33 PDF-10-3 Audio Description for Video Visual Inspection 1) Inspect the document for the presence of videos
    2) Verify that any video content that provides information visually that is not described by the default audio track provides that information via an Audio Description track, which fully explains the visual information.    		 Pass = All videos with visuals not fully explained by the default audio track have an Audio Description track that fully explains the visual information.
    Fail = Any video with visuals not fully explained by the default audio track does not have an Audio Description track to fully explains the visual information
    NA = There are no videos in the document, or Audio Tracks, fully explain the visuals of the presented videos
    34 PDF-10-4 Transcripts for audio-only/video-only Visual Inspection 1) Inspect the document for the presence of audio-only AND/OR video-only content
    2) Verify that a transcript which provides the same information as presented in the original media content MUST be made available for all audio-only AND/OR video-only content.    		 Pass = All Audio-only AND/OR Video-only content has a transcript
    Fail = Audio-only AND/OR Video-only content does not have a transcript
    NA = There is no Audio-only/Video-only content is present in the document

    The Visa Accessibility Team is constantly reviewing our requirements to make sure they are up-to-date with the latest accessibility guidelines. The requirements above are inclusive of the newest WCAG 2.2 updates.

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