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Accessible PDFs with LaTeX and Overleaf

With the Title II rule on digital accessibility approaching, Overleaf has announced practical ways for researchers to create tagged PDFs.
This new tagging feature is possible thanks to the release of TeX Live 2025 from the LaTeX Tagging Project team. Creating accessible PDF documents is crucial for ensuring content can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers. Creating an accessible PDF document in LaTeX or Overleaf requires enabling PDF tagging, using semantic structure, and providing metadata so assistive technologies can correctly interpret the document.
How to Get Started
Accessibility begins by activating tagging at the very beginning of the document with a metadata declaration before classification. Authors should always use structural commands to create sections and subsections rather than manually formatting their documents. Ensure images include descriptive alternative text, lists and tables are structured properly, and that hyperlinks are actionable.
Important Commands for Accessible PDFs
Using these essential commands will help you create accessible PDF documents.
| LaTeX Command | Use |
|---|---|
| \DocumentMetadata | Enable PDF tagging |
| \section, \subsection | Semantic structure for headings |
| \includegraphics[alt={}]{} | Alternative text for images |
| \tagpdfsetup{table/} | Handling tables |
| \begin{enumerate}, \end{enumerate} | Handling lists and other block structures |
| \usepackage{hyperref}, \href{}{} | Create actionable hyperlinks |
Resources and Assistance with LaTeX and Overleaf
- Additional accessibility resources are provided by LaTeX: Using LaTeX to Produce Accessible PDFs and Overleaf: Creating accessible PDFs in LaTeX.
- Learn more about Overleaf: TeX Live 2025.
- For more information or assistance with LaTeX and Overleaf, please contact the OIT Helpdesk.
- Learn more about the Title II rule on digital accessibility.

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