A 19-point checklist for self-checking multilingual manual accessibility against EAA, ADA, WCAG, PDF/UA, and EN 18339 before release — run in two stages: self-check and independent reviewer check.
- Who it’s for Technical writers, documentation managers, localization and QA reviewers, and manufacturers producing manuals with AI tools.
- When to use Right after building your digital and print deliverables, through final accessibility sign-off.
- See also For the background and how to apply each item, see the companion “Multilingual Manual Accessibility Guide.”
This checklist covers industry-neutral, universal items and does not replace the source standards or legal counsel.
Grading
- Critical (A) A miss can directly cause launch delays, recalls, or legal disputes. Must be zero before sign-off.
- Major (B) A miss invites customer claims, rework, or loss of brand trust. Target zero where possible.
- Minor (C) Low impact individually, but quality variance and operating cost rise as misses accumulate.
- Check items in priority order: Critical (A), then Major (B), then Minor (C).
- Run two stages: author self-check, then an independent reviewer cross-check.
- Mark items that don’t apply as N/A and record the reason in Notes.
Checklist (19 items)
A · Regulatory scope
| No | Check item · Criterion | Grade | Self | Reviewer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US ADA / Section 508 applicability is confirmed Digital documents for US federal or state procurement and places of public accommodation fall under Section 508 and the ADA; applicability analysis complete. | A | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 2 | EU EAA (effective June 28, 2025) applicability is confirmed If the product ships to the EU, its manuals and online documentation must meet EAA accessibility requirements; scope analysis complete. | A | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 3 | Applicable standards for the manual are stated WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA, PDF/UA, EN 17210, EN 301549, EN 18339 and other applicable standards are declared. | B | ☐ | ☐ |
B · Digital accessibility
| No | Check item · Criterion | Grade | Self | Reviewer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Body and UI text-to-background contrast is at least 4.5:1 (3:1 for large text) WCAG 1.4.3. Check digital manual and HTML screens for violations beyond the automated checker. | A | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 5 | Images carry appropriate alternative text Informative images convey meaning; decorative images use empty alt. Check for missing or untranslated alt text. | A | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 6 | Document structure (headings, lists, tables) uses semantic tags WCAG 1.3.1. Use h1–h6, list, and table semantics; never convey structure by visual styling alone. | A | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 7 | All content, navigation, and search work with the keyboard alone WCAG 2.1.1. Full access by Tab / Enter / Space with no keyboard traps. | A | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 8 | The keyboard focus indicator is visually clear WCAG 2.4.7. Focus indicator contrast of at least 3:1. | B | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 9 | PDFs conform to PDF/UA (ISO 14289) Tagged PDF with correct reading order, alt text, heading structure, table structure, and form-field labeling. | A | ☐ | ☐ |
C · Multilingual accessibility
| No | Check item · Criterion | Grade | Self | Reviewer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Language attributes (html lang, span lang) are set correctly Required for automatic screen-reader language detection, including inline language switches on multilingual pages. | A | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 11 | RTL languages have the correct screen-reader reading order dir=”rtl” applied; tables and lists keep a right-to-left reading flow. | B | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 12 | Text-to-speech compatibility for CJK and Indic languages is verified Sample-test that major screen readers pronounce non-Latin scripts correctly. | B | ☐ | ☐ |
D · Non-digital accessibility
| No | Check item · Criterion | Grade | Self | Reviewer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Print manuals and labels reflect EN 18339 (non-digital information accessibility) EAA harmonized standard. Provide visual / auditory / tactile multisensory paths; check text size, contrast, and spacing. | A | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 14 | Print body text meets the minimum type size for its reading context At least 10 pt for general users, 12–14 pt for low-vision readers, judged at a 40 cm hand-held distance. | B | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 15 | Print manuals provide a digital-copy access path (e.g., a QR code) An alternative channel for users who cannot access non-digital media. | B | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 16 | Product labels and pictograms do not rely on a single (visual-only) sensory channel Convey safety and status information through visual + auditory or visual + tactile (braille / embossing) paths. | C | ☐ | ☐ |
E · User testing & sign-off
| No | Check item · Criterion | Grade | Self | Reviewer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Usability is tested with real assistive technology (screen reader, magnification, keyboard-only) Beyond automated checks, run at least one hands-on cycle with a real user or assistive-technology tester. | A | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 18 | An accessibility conformance statement is written and published EAA / EN 301549. Publish a VPAT / ACR stating applicable standards, non-conformances, and a contact. | B | ☐ | ☐ | |
| 19 | Accessibility results and evidence are retained for audit Keep automated-check results, assistive-technology test logs, and sign-off dates (links to Part 8). | B | ☐ | ☐ |
Frequently asked questions
- Can we ship if a Critical (A) item is still open?As a rule, no. A Critical (A) miss can be a direct ADA / Section 508 or EAA violation that blocks market entry or government procurement, so these must be at zero before sign-off. If one genuinely cannot be closed in time, state the non-conformance and a remediation date in your accessibility conformance statement.
- What are a VPAT and an ACR, and who produces them?A VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) is the form used to document how well a product meets accessibility standards; the completed, published result is an ACR (Accessibility Conformance Report). The party that builds and reviews the deliverable produces it, and for US government procurement it is effectively a required submission.
- Can the same person run both the self-check and the reviewer check?It’s not recommended. The point of the cross-check is to catch what the author missed from an outside perspective, so a separate person who wasn’t involved in the build should verify the work with hands-on assistive-technology testing.
- How long should we retain accessibility evidence?Keep automated-check results, assistive-technology test logs, and sign-off dates for post-market audit and enforcement. Because the EU can require proof of conformance after a product reaches the market, retaining the records for the product’s lifecycle is the safe default.
Pre-Launch QA Series for Multilingual Manuals (8 parts)
The series follows a multilingual manual from translation intake to market release, one gate at a time. Each part pairs a guide with a self-check checklist.
- Part 1 · Translation integrity Catching defects in translated files before editing
- Part 2 · DTP Multilingual typesetting and layout integrity
- Part 3 · Regulatory Market-specific regulatory and standards marking
- Part 4 · UI matching Synchronizing product screens with the document
- Part 5 · Accessibility EAA, WCAG, PDF/UA, and Section 508 conformance (this checklist)
- Part 6 · Multi-channel output Consistency across PDF, HTML, and mobile
- Part 7 · Print Bleed, CMYK, font embedding, and print readiness
- Part 8 · Data management Turning source files and TM into reusable assets