I saw that too and it looks like skating on thin ice to me.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Terri Hedgpeth" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 10:04 AM
Subject: Re: FW: PDF files now accessible using text-to-speech software


I wasn't aware that PDF documents were a problem for people with reading
difficulties and mild visual impairments. PDF documents are a problem for
individuals who rely on screen reading software to access a computer. That
means they are blind, legally blind or have a severe enough disability that
impairs their access to a computer screen. Nothing mild about. Such a
statement definitely shoots this software down with out even looking at it
and comes off sounding a little patronizing. I guess that's enough out of me
this morning.
Cheers


_________________________________
Terri Hedgpeth
Student Support Specialist Sr.
Disability Resources for Students
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-3202
(480) 965-1232 (v)
(480) 965-0441 (fax)



-----Original Message-----
From: joe j lazzaro [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 7:35 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: FW: PDF files now accessible using text-to-speech software


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
>  ...
>
>
>
>