Subject: | |
From: | |
Reply To: | * EASI: Equal Access to Software & Information |
Date: | Mon, 3 Mar 2003 11:35:03 -0500 |
Content-Type: | TEXT/PLAIN |
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Hi Debbie,
While it is possible to make accessible PDF files, the process is so
difficult that few are successful, and even fewer even attempt it at all.
www.webaim.org has a less biased report on their web site.
Joseph J. Lazzaro
HTTP://JoeLazzaro.Com
On Mon, 3 Mar 2003, Deborah G. Savage wrote:
> We've just begun a pilot program that will allow the submission of an
> electronic thesis or dissertations. This will REQUIRE the conversion of
> the file of choice to PDF. We are very early in the pilot and the team
> understands my concerns about the files maybe not being accessible. I've
> gone to the Adobe site to see what they are doing to help make PDFs
> accessible and found this
> "http//www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/access_booklet.html" How to Create
> Accessible Adobe PDF Files.
>
> Has anyone tried this?
>
> Debbie
>
>
>
>
>
> At 09:35 AM 3/3/2003 -0500, joe j lazzaro wrote:
> >This is very misleading, and I doubt that this program can make "ALL" PDF
> >files accessible.
> >
> >
> >
> >Joseph J. Lazzaro
> >HTTP://JoeLazzaro.Com
> >
> >On Mon, 3 Mar 2003, MACMAHON, Tom wrote:
> >
> >> Please excuse a cross-posting, but I thought some list members might find
> >> this info (posted to an Australian list today) of interest and I don't
> >> recall reading about this on the EASI list.
> >>
> >> Regards,
> >> Tom.
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> Sent: Monday, 3 March 2003 8:12
> >> To: [log in to unmask]
> >> Subject: [arata-ls] PDF files now accessible using text-to-speech software
> >>
> >>
> >> Hi all
> >>
> >> Just thought you might like to know about a very clever little program
> >> released last month from textHELP - called "PDFAloud".
> >>
> >> As many of you will be aware, PDF (or Portable Document Files) files are a
> >> real problem for people with reading difficulties or mild visual
> impairments
> >> who rely on the computer to speak out text for them. It is difficult for
> >> standard text-to-speech programs to read them aloud - because you can't
> >> highlight the text within a PDF file. As a result, PDF files are
> effectively
> >> inaccessible to readers who rely on text-to-speech support for their
> >> reading.
> >> PDFAloud works as a simple add-in tool bar for Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat
> >> Reader and reads any page instantly - with various buttons to activate
> >> speech within the PDF document as and when required.
> >>
> >> I guess the most significant leap with this little program is that it is
> the
> >> only tool currently available to read PDF files with synchronised coloured
> >> highlighting right there on screen within the original PDF document. This
> >> obviously offers struggling students much more direct support with
> >> comprehension of the text and relating it to the off-computer print copy of
> >> the PDF documents. Prior to PDFAloud being available, PDF files had to be
> >> converted and read as "text only files" - losing all of their graphics and
> >> formatting and not always translating well for pages with complex
> >> formatting.
> >>
> >> At this stage, the program is only available in Australia within textHELP!
> >> Read & Write Version 6.0 or Gold ... but if you have these programs
> >> installed already - you are able to download the program for free from the
> >> textHELP website at http://www.texthelp.com/techdown.asp?section=support
> >> <http://www.texthelp.com/techdown.asp?section=support>
> >>
> >> More info is available on the Spectronics website at
> >> http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/library.asp?article=14343
> >> <http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/library.asp?article=14343> or email me off
> >> the listserv and I am happy to answer any questions.
> >>
> >> Cheers
> >> ...
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
>
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