Ask what readers would lose if the object were not conveyed. A thin decorative line can often be omitted. An arrow that alone shows an evacuation route cannot be omitted without an accessible equivalent.
Repeated headers and footers can interrupt sentences at page breaks. At the same time, check whether they contain unique information that belongs in the reading experience.
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A decorative rule between sections can usually be excluded from the meaningful structure; headings and sections already express the division. A repeated logo may likewise be unnecessary on every page, provided the publisher is identified where readers need it.
A footer date requires more thought. If the same version date appears on every page and is clearly stated in the introduction, repetitions may be treated as page furniture. But a validity date applying uniquely to one page is information readers need. Its footer position does not determine its meaning.
A “Draft” watermark is another boundary case. It can look decorative while changing how the entire document should be understood. If excluded from reading, the status must remain accessible elsewhere. Assess the information that would disappear, not merely which graphical object is easiest to select.
Before
The screen reader announces the organisation’s name after every page, sometimes mid-sentence.
After
Identify the organisation at an appropriate location. Treat the purely repeated decoration as an artifact.
Why this works Reading becomes less repetitive without losing the publisher’s identity. If the logo is an active link, assess that function too.
Page content does not automatically become a correct artifact when its tag is deleted. The application must mark the content appropriately. Otherwise, the file may contain untagged content.
PDF 1.7 uses marked page content for artifacts. PDF 2.0 also has an Artifact structure type. Follow the rules for the document’s target version.
Work on a copy and select one small object at a time. In a dense layout, a selection rectangle can include both a decorative rule and the start of the next paragraph. Check the actual page-content association before saving.
Afterwards, establish both that the unwanted interruption is gone and that all meaningful information remains available. A visual comparison can reveal appearance changes, but cannot show what assistive technology receives. Both perspectives are necessary.
Compare the page’s information with what assistive technology can reach. Pay particular attention to notes, warnings, legends and dates that might have been dismissed as decoration.
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Examples are our own unless stated otherwise. These guides distinguish legal requirements, standards and practical advice. Passing an automated check is not a complete assessment of document accessibility.