EASI Archives

Equal Access to Software & Information: (distribution list)

EASI@LISTSERV.ICORS.ORG

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Athol Gow <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
* EASI: Equal Access to Software & Information
Date:
Fri, 8 Jul 2005 17:45:53 -0400
Content-Type:
multipart/alternative
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (5 kB) , text/enriched (5 kB)
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your reply.  I agree with your comments regarding the  
problem of improperly prepared PDF files.  However, I was wondering if  
any screen reader users cannot access PDF files at all because of the  
screen reading software they're using or the particular version that  
they're using.
Cheers,
Athol Gow
On 8-Jul-05, at 4:17 PM, Richard Jones wrote:

> Dear Athol Gow,
> The dangerous assumption is that all Adobe PDF files are identical in  
> accessibility and that the variable is the screen reader.  Many Adobe  
> 7  files can be read by Jaws and other major screen readers.  The  
> problem is that not all Adobe files are created to be accessible. If  
> the Adobe 7 file is not created with the objective of accessibility in  
> the mind of the editor, it will not be accessible.    Adobe 7 also has  
> a "Save As" to a text file. This is nice, but any graphical  
> information and alt tags will be lost in a text file. 
>  
>
> Richard Jones
> Assistant Director
> Disability Resource Center
> Arizona State University
>
> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE:  This e-mail message is intended only for the  
> use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may  
> contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from  
> disclosure under applicable law.  If you believe you have received  
> this e-mail in error please notify the sender.
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: * EASI: Equal Access to Software & Information  
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Athol Gow
>> Sent: Friday, July 08, 2005 12:50 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Screen readers and Aobe Acrobat version 7
>>
>> Hi Everyone,
>> Is anyone aware of  a screen reading program that won't work with  
>> Adobe Acrobat Version 7?  In addition to Jaws, it looks like both  
>> Homepage Reader and Window Eyes can read PDFs created in Adobe  
>> Version 7. 
>> Also, would it be safe to assume that versions of Jaws pre-dating 4  
>> would be unable to read any pdf content or is pdf accessibility  
>> strictly related to which version of Adobe the document was created  
>> in and which version of Adobe reader you're using?
>> Thanks very much,
>> Athol Gow
>>
>> Athol Gow, Coordinator,
>> Library Centre for Students with Disabilities
>> McLaughlin Library
>> University of Guelph
>> 50 Stone Rd.,
>> Guelph, Ontario
>> Canada
>> N1G 2W1
>> Phone:  519-824-4120 ext. 52312
>> Fax:    519-836-0435
>> Website:  
>> http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/services_for/students_with_disabilities/ 
>> index.html
>>
>>
>>
>> Prof Norm Coombs wrote:Assistive Computer Technology on a Shoestring  
>> the EASI Way is the newest
>>> online course produced by EASI to support staff, councillors and  
>>> teachers
>>> who support students with disabilities.  It is being offered  
>>> starting July 5.
>>>
>>> What do we mean by "Assistive Computer Technology on a Shoestring?"
>>>
>>> Many of today's assistive technologies are complex, sophisticated and
>>> frequently expensive. While they are powerful, versatile and can  
>>> readily be
>>> modified
>>> to meet individual needs, there are some other assistive  
>>> technologies that
>>> are less expensive and still fill an important gap in the array of  
>>> tools to
>>> support users with disabilities. These less expensive alternatives  
>>> will in
>>> no way replace the more professional applications. However, for  
>>> someone with
>>> a less severe disability, for an aging senior or a person with a  
>>> temporary
>>> disability or for someone wanting experience with assistive  
>>> technology before
>>> making a significant purchase, they are important tools to explore.  
>>> Often,
>>> these tools are all that an individual needs. For a small  
>>> institution with
>>> tight
>>> budgets, these technologies can be kept available to provide support  
>>> for a
>>> wide range of people with disabilities until a more appropriate  
>>> application
>>> has been purchased. knowledge of these tools can help course  
>>> participants
>>> be an important resource for the community as well.
>>>
>>> The course will cover the assistive technology features built into  
>>> the
>>> operating systems of Apple Tiger, Sun Gnome, and Microsoft Windows.  
>>> While
>>> the features
>>> may be limited, because they come with the operating system, they  
>>> are free
>>> and immediately available to every user. These features benefit  
>>> users with
>>> visual
>>> impairments, hearing impairments, motor impairments and various  
>>> cognitive
>>> impairments. Common computer applications used by everyone daily  
>>> also can be
>>> modified to enhance their use by members of this population.
>>>
>>> The course will also point participants to free, open source and  
>>> shareware
>>> applications that focus on this population, and it will familiarize  
>>> course
>>> students
>>> with Internet sources for these tools.
>>>
>>> Read the syllabus and access online registration at:
>>> http://easi.cc/workshops/ltech.htm
>>>
>>> EASI has delivered courses over the Internet since 1993 to some 5,000
>>> people in over 3 dozen countries.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----------------
>>> EASI Courses in July (5 courses earn the Certificate in Accessible IT
>>> Designing Accessible Course Content Using Familiar Software
>>> http://easi.cc/workshops/dacc.htm
>>> Train the Trainer
>>> http://easi.cc/workshops/train.htm
>>>
>>>         Norman Coombs, Ph.D.
>>> CEO EASI
>>> 22196 Caminito Tasquillo
>>> Laguna Hills, CA 92653
>>> (949) 855-4852


ATOM RSS1 RSS2