Documents
Review OCR Before Remediating a Scanned PDF
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
Purpose and preparation
Convert an image-only document into accurate machine-readable text before building its accessible structure. Preserve the original scan and use a working copy. OCR accuracy and document accessibility are separate checkpoints.
A practical example
A scanned application contains names, dates and a table of fees that must be read precisely.
How to check it
- Run OCR using the correct document language and inspect its output against the scan. Pay particular attention to numbers, punctuation, columns and poor-quality pages.
- Correct recognition errors and identify meaningful headings, lists, tables and figures. Add or repair tags and reading order after the text is reliable.
- Search for key terms, copy representative text and read the final document with assistive technology. Record uncertain passages requiring human verification.
What can be missed
Searchable text alone does not create a usable tagged PDF. An OCR error in a fee or deadline can remain hidden behind a visually correct scan.
Record your test
Use this worksheet to record what you actually checked. Notes stay on this device when you choose Save; they are not sent to us. Avoid personal or confidential information on shared devices.
These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.