[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "how%20do%20i%20change%20the%20accessibility%20settings%20for%20adobe%20acrabat%3F%20example%2C%20to%20allow%20or%20not%20allow%20a%20screen%20reader%20to%20tag%20documents."
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s how to control accessibility (screen reader / \u201ctagging\u201d) settings in Adobe Acrobat so you can allow or prevent screen readers from reading/tagging documents, as well as enable or disable auto-tagging. Depending on whether you\u2019re using Acrobat Pro, Standard, or Reader, some options may not be available. These steps are based on the latest Acrobat versions as of early 2026.  \n\n---\n\n## Key Settings You Should Know About\n\n- **Tags / Document Structure**: Tags help define headings, paragraphs, tables, etc., so screen readers understand reading order and content structure. ([helpx.adobe.com](https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/accessibility-features-pdfs.html?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Cloud-based Auto-tagging**: Acrobat can automatically generate tags for eligible PDFs. You can enable or disable this feature. ([helpx.adobe.com](https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/cloud-auto-tagging-accessibility-pdfs.html?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Security Permissions**: If a PDF is secured in a way that prevents text extraction or copying, a screen reader might not be able to read it properly. ([helpx.adobe.com](https://helpx.adobe.com/en/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html?trackingid=KACNN&utm_source=openai))  \n- **Reading Order Preferences**: Acrobat has preferences for how it handles reading order for tagged vs untagged documents. ([adobe.com](https://www.adobe.com/content/dam/acom/en/accessibility/pdfs/accessing-pdf-sr.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## How to Enable / Disable Tagging & Screen Reader Access\n\nHere are the specific steps in Acrobat:\n\n1. **Open the Preferences**  \n   - Windows: `Edit` \u2192 `Preferences`  \n   - macOS: `Acrobat` \u2192 `Preferences`  \n   - Or use Ctrl+K (Windows) or \u2318+K (Mac) ([helpx.adobe.com](https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/cloud-auto-tagging-accessibility-pdfs.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Go to the Accessibility Section**  \n   Look for the \u201cAccessibility\u201d category in the left sidebar of the Preferences dialog. ([helpx.adobe.com](https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/cloud-auto-tagging-accessibility-pdfs.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n3. **Manage Auto-tagging**  \n   - **Enable cloud-based auto-tagging**: check the box \u201cEnable cloud-based auto-tagging for accessibility.\u201d This allows Acrobat to automatically tag documents using Adobe\u2019s cloud service. ([helpx.adobe.com](https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/cloud-auto-tagging-accessibility-pdfs.html?utm_source=openai))  \n   - **Disable it**: uncheck that same option. If disabled, Acrobat will either use local tagging or require manual tagging. ([helpx.adobe.com](https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/cloud-auto-tagging-accessibility-pdfs.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n4. **Set Reading Options**  \n   - In the same Accessibility preferences there\u2019s often a setting for \u201cReading Order\u201d or \u201cDefault Reading Order.\u201d For tagged documents it will use the tag structure; for untagged documents, it may use visual order or another fallback. ([adobe.com](https://www.adobe.com/content/dam/acom/en/accessibility/pdfs/accessing-pdf-sr.pdf?utm_source=openai))  \n   - There\u2019s also a \u201cScreen Reader Options\u201d or \u201cReading Options\u201d control to determine how the document should behave (e.g. \u201cDo not read document\u201d, \u201cRead tagged content only\u201d, etc.). Make sure you set it to allow reading/tagged content. ([adobe.com](https://www.adobe.com/content/dam/acom/en/accessibility/pdfs/accessing-pdf-sr.pdf?utm_source=openai))\n\n5. **Check Document Security / Permissions**  \n   - Open `File` \u2192 `Document Properties` \u2192 `Security` tab. Make sure the document does **not** have restrictions that block text extraction or copying. If it does, screen readers may fail to access content. You may need to set Security Method to \u201cNo Security.\u201d ([helpx.adobe.com](https://helpx.adobe.com/en/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html?trackingid=KACNN&utm_source=openai))  \n   - If using the Accessibility Check tool, verify the \u201cAccessibility permission\u201d flag. ([helpx.adobe.com](https://helpx.adobe.com/en/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html?trackingid=KACNN&utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Using Acrobat Tools to Add or Review Tags\n\nEven if settings are enabled, to actually tag a document or repair tags, do this:\n\n- Go to **All Tools** \u2192 **Prepare for Accessibility** \u2192 then use:\n  - **Auto-tag Document** (or \u201cAutomatically Tag PDF\u201d) to generate tags. ([helpx.adobe.com](https://helpx.adobe.com/in/acrobat/using/creating-accessible-pdfs.html?linkId=100000323997038&utm_source=openai))  \n  - **Fix Reading Order** tool to adjust the order content is read by assistive tech. ([helpx.adobe.com](https://helpx.adobe.com/en/acrobat/using/create-verify-pdf-accessibility.html?trackingid=KACNN&utm_source=openai))  \n- Use the **Tags / Accessibility Tags Panel** to view/edit the tag tree and ensure structure is logical: headings, paragraphs, figures, lists, etc. ([oit.colorado.gov](https://oit.colorado.gov/standards-policies-guides/a-guide-to-accessible-web-services/accessible-documents-toolkit/how-to-adobe-acrobat-tags-tree?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Summary / If You Want to \u201cTurn Off\u201d Screen Reader Tagging\n\nIf your goal is to *prevent* a screen reader from accessing tagged content\u2014sometimes for privacy, control, or other workflows\u2014you\u2019ll mainly:\n\n- Disable or remove auto-tagging (uncheck \u201cEnable cloud-based auto-tagging\u201d in Preferences).  \n- Ensure reading options are set to *not* follow tags (e.g. change default for tagged docs).  \n- Apply document security that limits text extraction, copying, etc., so some screen readers are blocked (note: ethical and legal implications apply).  \n\n---\n\nIf you tell me which version of Acrobat you\u2019re using (Pro, Standard, Reader; Windows vs Mac), I can give you version-specific steps."
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "as%20a%20screen%20reader%2C%20when%20I%20run%20a%20powerpoint"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "If you\u2019re using a screen reader while presenting or reviewing a PowerPoint, there\u2019s no single \u201callow/deny\u201d toggle for screen reader access. Instead, PowerPoint uses \u201creading order,\u201d \u201caccessible reading structure,\u201d \u201calt text,\u201d and related settings to control what the screen reader hears and in what order. I\u2019ll explain how these work, and what you can do as a screen reader user or as someone creating slides to make them more usable with assistive tech.\n\n---\n\n## What the Screen Reader Hears & How PowerPoint Determines It\n\n- Screen readers read slide title first, then items (text boxes, images, tables) in an order determined by internal \u201creading order\u201d structures. PowerPoint usually assigns this based on when elements were added to the slide. ([sc.edu](https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/digital-accessibility/toolbox/documents_pdfs/microsoft_powerpoint/reading_order_powerpoint/?utm_source=openai))  \n- Elements tagged as \"decorative\" (via hiding or marking them decorative) can be excluded so the screen reader does not announce them. ([blogs.cornell.edu](https://blogs.cornell.edu/ctiaccessibility/slides/reading-order/?utm_source=openai))  \n- Alt-text for images or graphics ensures that visual content is described when read aloud. If missing, screen reader may say \u201cimage\u201d or \u201cgraphic\u201d with no description. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/accessibility/powerpoint/screen-reader-support-for-powerpoint?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## Tools & Settings You Can Use\n\nHere are the PowerPoint tools/settings relevant to how and whether screen readers \u201ctag\u201d content and read it out:\n\n| Tool / Option | Where to Find It | What It Controls / What You Can Do |\n|--------------|------------------|--------------------------------------|\n| **Accessibility Checker** | Review tab \u2192 *Check Accessibility* | Scans slides for common issues (missing slide titles, alt text, reading order problems). Guides you to fix them. ([mass.gov](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/powerpoint-accessibility?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Reading Order Pane** (Windows only) | Review tab \u2192 *Check Accessibility* \u2192 *Reading Order Pane* | Shows order in which screen reader will read slide elements; lets you reorder items and mark some as decorative. ([uwm.edu](https://uwm.edu/digital-accessibility/documentation-guides/documents/presentations/?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Selection Pane** (Windows and Mac) | Home tab \u2192 Arrange \u2192 *Selection Pane* | Shows all objects on the slide; you can rename them (useful to mark slide title), reorder, or hide visually. Screens within this pane are read bottom-to-top by screen readers. ([uwm.edu](https://uwm.edu/digital-accessibility/documentation-guides/documents/presentations/?utm_source=openai)) |\n| **Outline View** | View tab \u2192 Outline View | Shows only the slide titles + body text in the reading order. Good for checking if something is missing or out of sequence. ([mass.gov](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/powerpoint-accessibility?utm_source=openai)) |\n\n---\n\n## What You, as a Screen Reader User, Can Try to Influence Behavior\n\nIf you're using a screen reader with someone\u2019s PowerPoint, or preparing your own:\n\n- **Move by Tab**: Press Tab on each slide to guess reading order. Screen reader should highlight elements in sequence. ([dcp.ucla.edu](https://dcp.ucla.edu/checking-reading-order?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Use Check Accessibility**: It will flag slides with problems like missing titles or improbable content order. Also suggests where reading order is wrong. ([perkins.org](https://www.perkins.org/resource/reading-order-powerpoint-presentations/?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Ask for \u201cReading Order Review\u201d**: If you can request changes, ask the author to open Reading Order Pane (or Selection Pane) and verify that titles are read first, images after text, etc.  \n\n---\n\n## What Slide Creators Should Do to Support Screen Reader Users\n\nSince often the control is with the author, here are best practices that help screen reader users:\n\n1. Always use a **slide title** for every slide. Screen readers use slide titles as navigation landmarks. ([mass.gov](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/powerpoint-accessibility?utm_source=openai))  \n2. Use **placeholders** instead of manually placing text boxes wherever possible, so reading order tends to be better. ([mass.gov](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/powerpoint-accessibility?utm_source=openai))  \n3. Add **alt text** to all images/graphics; mark any decorative visuals as decorative so they don\u2019t interrupt flow. ([blogs.cornell.edu](https://blogs.cornell.edu/ctiaccessibility/slides/reading-order/?utm_source=openai))  \n4. Use proper **reading order** by reviewing via Reading Order Pane or Selection Pane. Rearrange elements so you first hear titles, then subsections, then images/footers. ([section508.gov](https://www.section508.gov/blog/accessibility-bytes/presentation-reading-order/?utm_source=openai))  \n5. Use **Accessibility Checker** regularly while building, not just at the end. That avoids big re-work. ([mass.gov](https://www.mass.gov/info-details/powerpoint-accessibility?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\nIf you tell me which screen reader you\u2019re using (e.g. JAWS, NVDA, Narrator) *and* which version of PowerPoint (Windows, Mac, Web, version date), I can give you exactly how that combination will behave and any specific tricks or shortcuts."
    }
]