Important Notes

Does Not Meet WCAG Conformance

Math documents produced that rely on MathML in a ISO 14289-2 (PDF/UA-2) conforming do not currently meet WCAG 2.x AA requirements because the technology stack needed to support them does not currently meet the WCAG conformance requirements. There are five requirements that must be met in order for content to be classified as 'conforming' to WCAG 2.0. PDFs using this process, no matter how well they are produced fail "Requirement 4: Only Accessibility-Supported Ways of Using Technologies" which states:

Only Accessibility-Supported Ways of Using Technologies: Only accessibility-supported ways of using technologies are relied upon to satisfy the success criteria. Any information or functionality that is provided in a way that is not accessibility supported is also available in a way that is accessibility supported.

This is because even Acrobat Reader does not support the parts of ISO 14289-2 (PDF/UA-2) which convey the MathML to assistive technologies. It does not appear that the most commonly used screen reader software on Windows OS or macOS support access either. When this changes, we'll be super excited to update this section and announce it widely!

Note:

This is not only our interpretation, it is also the interpretation by PDF accessibility companies including those that helped write the PDF-UA/2 and Well-Tagged PDF specs. From PDF/UA-2 vs. Well-tagged PDF from axes4.com.

When does it make sense to switch to PDF/UA-2?
The key to establishing a new standard lies in the PDF viewers: A switch is only worthwhile once PDF viewers not only support reading PDF/UA-2 files but also the potential of the new features. This also depends on the fact that assistive software relies on the data it receives from the PDF viewer. Only when this chain of interaction is guaranteed can the improvements for the accessible user experience reach the users.

See: Understanding Conformance in the WCAG 2.2 spec for more information from a conformance perspective. To learn more about the PDF/UA-2 and Well-Tagged PDF specs, see PDF/UA-2 vs. Well-tagged PDF from axes4.com.

Documentation Currency and Accuracy

Last updated: 2025-07-20

The process for creating tagged PDFs from a LaTeX document is under rapid, active development by the LaTeX project. While we make regular efforts to keep this documentation current, the technical details and procedures described here may become outdated between updates. For the most current information, examples, and implementation guidance, please consult the official sources below:

Using the LaTeX prototype for accessible PDF - the LaTeX Tagging Project
WTPDF / PDF/UA-2 Examples by the LaTeX Project Discussion
For the latest updates from the LaTeX Tagged PDF project, consider reading the LaTeX2e Release Newsletters
Updated LaTeX documentation relevant to tagged PDF production:
- The \DocumentMetadata command - Changes related to configuring PDF version and tagging options
- The latex-lab-graphic package - Tagging of included graphics
- The latex-lab-table package - Changes related to the tagging of tables
- The latex-lab-toc package - Changes related to the tagging of toc and similar lists
- The latex-lab-title package - This module contains changes to improve the tagging (in the standard classes) of the title created with the \maketitle command. It also improves the setting of the metadata related to the title and the author.

Overview

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for creating accessible PDF documents with proper structure tagging that comply with the PDF/UA-2 standard, with special attention to making mathematical content accessible using MathML Structure Element Tagging.

Table of Contents

Important Notes
- Does Not Meet WCAG Conformance
- Documentation Currency and Accuracy
Overview
Table of Contents
Prerequisites
Setting Up Your Environment
- Windows (MiKTeX)
- macOS (MacTeX)
Creating a Basic Accessible Document
- Step 1: Create a Minimal Document
- Step 2: Compile the Document
- Step 3: Verify Accessibility
Adding Accessible Mathematics with MathML Structure Element Tagging
- Step 1: Create a Math Document Using MathML Structure Element Tagging
- Step 2: Compile the Math Document
Understanding the Key Components
- 1. Document Metadata
- 2. Math Tagging Configuration
- A Note on the Associated Files Technique
More Accessibility Features (Images, Lists, and Tables)
Checking Your Document
Troubleshooting
- Common Issues and Solutions
Full Document Example
Resources
Conclusion
Update History

Prerequisites

The process described below was tested using the following:

LaTeX Distribution:
- Windows: MiKTeX 25.4
  - lualatex version 1.22.0
  - packages updated 2025-07-20
- macOS: TeX Live Version 1.54 or later (installed via MacTeX)
  - lualatex version 1.22.0 (TeX Live 2025)
  - packages updated 2025-07-20
Other LaTeX distributions? The distribution must include LuaLaTeX, which is apparently the engine the LaTeX Project uses to develop PDF/UA-2 tagging
Internet connection (for the first run, to download required packages)

Setting Up Your Environment

Note: For best results you need the latest version of lualatex. The tagging project is in active development. Keep your LaTeX distribution and lualatex up to date.

Windows (MiKTeX)

macOS (MacTeX)

MacTeX is a package which installs TeX Live on macOS. It's recommended to use the larger MacTeX installer over the smaller BasicTeX installer because any example you find online or from an instructor will more likely work and no time will be wasted adding extra missing components to the distribution.

Note: You are installing with MacTeX, but you will be using the TeX Live Utility to manage it.

Install TeX Live via MacTeX:
- Download the installer from MacTeX website - note: it's large at 6+ GB.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts.
- Installing MacTeX will take ~10 GB of space on your computer.
Update MacTeX (TeX Live and all packages):
- Using the Terminal
  - Run sudo tlmgr update --self
  - Run sudo tlmgr update --all
- Using the TeX Live Utility
  - To update TeX Live:
  - Launch the TeX Live Utility as an Admin
  - From the menu select "TeX Live Utility", and then "Check For Updates..."
  - To update the packages:
    - From the menu select "Actions", then "Refresh Package List"
    - From the menu select "Actions", then "Update All Packages"
      - Note: This will take some time! Make sure you get the "TODO" message before closing the TeX Live Utility.
Verify LuaLaTeX Installation:
- Open Terminal
- Type lualatex --version and press Enter
- Verify that you have at least version 1.22.0 (TeX Live 2025) or newer

Creating a Basic Accessible Document

Let's start with a simple document to understand the basic structure and requirements.

Step 1: Create a Minimal Document

Create folder and place a text file named accessible-document.tex with the following content in it:

% Must appear before \documentclass 
\DocumentMetadata{
 lang=en,
 testphase={latest,math,table,title},
 pdfversion=2.0,
 pdfstandard=ua-2,
 pdfstandard=a-4f,
 uncompress
}

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{enumitem}
\usepackage{unicode-math}

\title{My Accessible Document}
\author{Your Name}

\begin{document}

\maketitle

\section{Introduction}

This is a simple paragraph with text that will be properly
tagged in the PDF output. Tagging provides structure information
that makes the document accessible to screen readers and other
assistive technologies.

\section{Second Section}

Here is another paragraph with some content that demonstrates
basic structure.

\section{Lists}

\begin{enumerate}[start=5]
  \item Level A1
  \begin{enumerate}
    \item Level B1
    \item Level B2
  \end{enumerate}
  \item Level A2
\end{enumerate}

\section{Example Table}

\tagpdfsetup{table/header-rows={1}}
\tagpdfsetup{table/header-columns={1}}
\begin{tabular}{lr}
Name&Value\\
This& 11 \\
That & 2
\end{tabular}

\end{document}

Step 2: Compile the Document

Open Terminal (macOS) or Command Prompt (Windows)
Navigate to the folder containing your tex file:
```
cd path/to/your/folder
```
Compile with LuaLaTeX:
```
lualatex accessible-document.tex
```
Note: MiKTeX is designed to handle automatic package installation reliably. The packages are downloaded from the official CTAN (Comprehensive TeX Archive Network) repositories, so they're safe and legitimate. You may see the Package Installation dialog appear the the compilation stops.

You can manually approve each package installation by reviewing the settings and then click "Install". Or, you can uncheck the "Always show this dialog" checkbox to have MiKTeX silently auto-install any missing packages. Beware that initial compilations of complex documents might take longer as new packages are downloaded.

Also note: You may see messages like:

Info: mathml file accessible-document-mathml does not exist
Info: mathml file accessible-document-luamml-mathml does not exist

or:

LaTeX Warning: Label(s) may have changed. Rerun to get cross-references right.

These messages are normal. Simply run the command a second time.
Compile a second time to ensure all references are resolved:
```
lualatex accessible-document.tex
```

Step 3: Verify Accessibility

Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro
Go to Tools > Accessibility > Accessibility Check
Run the full check to see if your document meets the PDF/UA standards

Adding Accessible Mathematics with MathML Structure Element Tagging

Now, let's create a document with accessible mathematical content using the MathML Structure Element Tagging approach.

Step 1: Create a Math Document Using MathML Structure Element Tagging

This process creates a PDF with MathML elements directly embedded in the PDF tag structure and should be readable by the latest NVDA screen reader with the MathCAT plugin. Make sure NVDA and the MathCAT plugin are up to date!

Create a file named accessible-math.tex with the following content:

% Must appear before \documentclass 
\DocumentMetadata{
 uncompress,
 lang=en,
 tagging=on,
 tagging-setup={math/setup=mathml-SE},
 pdfstandard=ua-2,pdfstandard=a-4f
}  

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{unicode-math}

\usepackage{amsmath}

\title{Accessible Mathematics}
\author{Your Name}

\begin{document}

\maketitle

\section{Basic Equations}

When we have an inline equation like $E=mc^2$, it will be tagged with MathML structure elements.

Display equations are also properly tagged:

$$a^2 + b^2 = c^2$$

The quadratic formula provides solutions to equations of the form $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$:

$$x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$$

\section{More Complex Mathematics}

Matrices can also be made accessible:

$$
\begin{pmatrix}
a & b \\
c & d
\end{pmatrix}
\begin{pmatrix}
x \\
y
\end{pmatrix}
=
\begin{pmatrix}
ax + by \\
cx + dy
\end{pmatrix}
$$

\end{document}

Step 2: Compile the Math Document

Open Terminal (macOS) or Command Prompt (Windows)
Navigate to the folder containing your tex file
Compile with LuaLaTeX:
```
lualatex accessible-math.tex
```
You'll likely see messages about MathML being generated:

No file accessible-math.aux.
Package tagpdf Info: luamml has been enabled and will create an MathML file.
Compile a second time:
```
lualatex accessible-math.tex
```
Check the file in Adobe Acrobat. When you view the tags in the Accessibility tags panel, you should be able to find MathML tags within the PDF <Formula> tag (<math>, <mi>, <mo>, etc.):
To test the tagged mathematics in the PDF, use NVDA (version 2024.4.2 or newer) with the MathCAT add-on (version 0.6.8 or newer) to read it.

Understanding the Key Components

Let's break down the essential components that make the document accessible:

1. Document Metadata

\RequirePackage{pdfmanagement-testphase}
\DeclareDocumentMetadata{
  uncompress,
  lang=en,
  testphase=latest,
  pdfversion=2.0,
  pdfstandard=ua-2,
  pdfstandard=a-4f
}

uncompress: Makes the PDF readable/debuggable (can be removed for final versions)
lang=en: Sets the document language (important for screen readers)
pdfversion=2.0: Required for PDF/UA-2 standard
pdfstandard=ua-2 and pdfstandard=a-4f: Sets the PDF to conform to both UA-2 and A-4F standards

2. Math Tagging Configuration

\tagpdfsetup{
  activate,
  paratagging,
  interwordspace,
  math/mathml/structelem,
  math/tex/AF=false,
  math/mathml/AF=false,
  math/mathml/sources=
}

activate, paratagging, interwordspace: Basic tagging setup
math/mathml/structelem: Enables MathML Structure Element tagging
math/tex/AF=false, math/mathml/AF=false: Disables Associated Files approach
math/mathml/sources=: Configures MathML sources

A Note on the Associated Files Technique

The LaTeX Tagging Project describes the "Associated Files" technique as LuaLaTeX's default out of the two options for how MathML can be included into a PDF/UA-2 compliant tagged PDF. Unfortunately the Associated Files technique is not currently supported by Adobe Acrobat Reader. The MathML Structure Element Tagging method does appear to work with the latest versions of NVDA with MathCAT and JAWS with the MathCAT early adopter feature enabled.

More Accessibility Features (Images, Lists, and Tables)

While most tagging is done automatically by adding the Document Metadata above, there remain a few things the author has to add manually as they were not previously handled in standard LaTeX.

If the document contains data tables, the author has to identify the header rows of the tables so that they can be tagged as <TH> cells. By default all cells are considered data cells. Tables can also be marked as presentational when they are being used for layout purposes.
Images can be given alt-text or marked as artifacts.
List numbering, start value, and resuming an interrupted list can be indicated.

See Using the LaTeX prototype for accessible PDF - the LaTeX Tagging Project for details.

Checking Your Document

After compilation, verify your document's accessibility:

Open in Adobe Acrobat Pro
Go to Tools > Accessibility > Accessibility Check
Check "Document is PDF/UA compliant" option
Run the check

You should also test with actual screen readers:

NVDA (Windows)
VoiceOver (macOS)
JAWS (Windows)

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

"Missing MathML source" warnings:
- These are expected on the first compilation
- The second compilation should resolve them
"Document structure not tagged" error in Acrobat:
- Ensure you've set all the metadata correctly
- Make sure you're using LuaLaTeX, not pdfLaTeX or XeLaTeX
Math not reading correctly in screen readers:
- Verify you're using the Structure Element approach, not Associated Files
- Test with a fully updated screen reader that supports MathML (like NVDA with the MathCAT plugin)
Missing packages:
- If you see errors about missing packages, use your package manager to install them:
  - MiKTeX: Will install automatically if configured to do so
  - MacTeX: Use tlmgr install package-name

Full Document Example

Here's a complete example combining all elements:

\RequirePackage{pdfmanagement-testphase}
\DeclareDocumentMetadata{
  uncompress,
  lang=en,
  testphase=latest,
  pdfversion=2.0,
  pdfstandard=ua-2,
  pdfstandard=a-4f
}

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{tagpdf}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage{hyperref}
\usepackage{booktabs}

\tagpdfsetup{
  activate,
  paratagging,
  interwordspace,
  math/mathml/structelem,
  math/tex/AF=false,
  math/mathml/AF=false,
  math/mathml/sources=
}

\title{Complete Accessible Document}
\author{Your Name}
\date{\today}

\begin{document}

\maketitle

\begin{abstract}
This document demonstrates how to create a fully accessible PDF document with LaTeX that includes properly tagged mathematics, tables, and images.
\end{abstract}

\section{Introduction}

Welcome to this guide on creating accessible documents with mathematical content. This document itself is fully tagged and compliant with PDF/UA-2 standards.

\section{Mathematical Content}

Here is a simple equation $E=mc^2$ inline. And here is a display equation:

$$F = G\frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$$

The quadratic formula gives us:

$$x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$$

\section{Lists and Structure}

Here is an ordered list of steps:

\begin{enumerate}
\item First, define your variables.
\item Then, set up your equation.
\item Finally, solve for the unknown.
\end{enumerate}

And an unordered list of benefits:

\begin{itemize}
\item Improved accessibility
\item Better document structure
\item Compliance with standards
\end{itemize}

\section{Hyperlinks}

For more information, visit the \href{https://www.latex-project.org/}{LaTeX Project website}.

\section{Conclusion}

By following these guidelines, you can create fully accessible documents that include mathematical content, ensuring that all users, including those with disabilities, can access and understand your work.

\end{document}

Resources

Conclusion

Creating accessible PDF documents with LaTeX, especially those containing mathematical content, is becoming significantly easier thanks to the LaTeX3 tagging project. By using LuaLaTeX and the MathML Structure Element Tagging approach, you can ensure your documents are accessible to all users, including those who rely on screen readers and hopefully other assistive technologies.

Update History

2025-07-20
- Added WCAG conformance statement
- Updated version details
- Updated documentation metadata settings necessary to create tagged PDFs with MathML Structure Element Tagging
- Updated sample documents