Cancer Waiting Times • 1 April–30 June 2025

Ensure that PDF documents specifies headings for accessibility.

## What this means

Specifying headings in a PDF involves clearly defining tagged heading elements within 
the document. These headings are used to structure the content, similar to how headings 
are used in web content (like HTML). 

## Why it matters

1. **Accessibility**: Headings are crucial for screen readers and other assistive technologies. They allow users with visual impairments to navigate the document more easily.
2. **Document Structure**: Clearly defined headings help in organizing the content, making it more understandable and navigable for all users.
3. **Search Efficiency**: Proper headings improve the document's searchability, enabling users to find information more quickly.

## How to fix

1. **Use Styles in Document Creation**: When creating a document, use heading styles (like Heading 1, Heading 2, etc.) in your word processor before converting it to a PDF.
2. **Edit Existing PDFs**: If your PDF is already created, use a PDF editor to add or modify heading tags. Ensure that the headings are in a logical hierarchical order.

## Testing Methodology

Silktide flags PDFs that don't contain a single tagged heading.

## Further Reading

- [WCAG PDF9](https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20-TECHS/pdf.html#PDF9)
- [Creating Accessible PDFs](https://www.adobe.com/accessibility/pdf/pdf-accessibility-overview.html)
- [PDF Accessibility - Defining PDF Accessibility](https://www.webaim.org/techniques/acrobat/)

Specify headings for every PDF

Public Health Scotland

Where this issue has occurred