Long PDF documents have no bookmarks on WordPress
What this is
3 PDF documents of ten pages or more have no bookmarks. Readers cannot jump to a chapter and have to move through every page.
Who it affects
- Screen reader users
- Keyboard users
- People with cognitive disabilities
Standards
How to fix it
- Use real heading styles in the source file; most programs turn them into bookmarks when exporting ("Create bookmarks" / "Headings as bookmarks").
- Check the Bookmarks panel in a PDF reader and replace the file on your site.
On WordPress
Fix the PDF in the program it was made with (Word, Google Docs, InDesign): turn on the accessibility options when exporting ("Tagged PDF" / "Create accessible PDF"), set the document title and language in the file properties, then export again. Then replace the file: Media Library → open the file → upload the new version (or delete it and upload again), and check that links point to the new file.
Other platforms
Prompt for an AI coding tool
Scan your site with AccessibilityBrief and you get a ready-to-use prompt for this problem, with the exact elements on your pages filled in.
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More fixes
Automated testing detects only a portion of WCAG issues. Manual testing is required to assess full conformance.