[blindlaw] PDF files

[Ford, Tim (CDPH-OLS)]

For the widest possible use, something other than PDF is best in my
humble opinion, probably word or text format.  The reason is that to use
the available technology for PDF, a blind person needs to have installed
Adobe version 8 or newer, and probably a screen reader of fairly recent
vintage.  Also, creating accessible PDF documents is something that
seems hard for entities to consistently get right.  All it takes is for
one person to start doing it wrong, and somehow the same error can
become widespread.  

All the above in mind, PDF is probably too popular to stop, so on web
pages a link to a current Adobe version, and perhaps a note to screen
reader users should do the trick.  The note would warn blind folks of
the need for them to have a recent Adobe and screen reader software
version.

Sincerely,
Tim Ford
 

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Brian Langlois
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 1:45 PM
To: Brian Langlois; NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] PDF files

So, are we saying that PDF files are accessible to blind computer users?

Somewhat accessible?
I'm working with my local city web site which uses different types of
files, including PDF.
In the past, I've told city leaders to use a different format, not PDF
or any other graphical format.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Brian l.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Brian Langlois" <langlois2 at verizon.net>
To: <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, January 31, 2011 10:38 PM
Subject: [blindlaw] PDF files


> Hello, listers,
> For years I have regarded PDF  files as generally inaccessible to
blind 
> computer users.
> I'm wondering if this is still true in the blind community.
> Thanks!
> Brian Langlois
>
>
>
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