[blindlaw] PDF files

[David Andrews]

Brian:

The answer to your question is it depends.  First, there is probably 
no perfect format.  If the PDF is produced properly it can and should 
be accessible.  It however, can't be an image of a page, but must 
contain text to be directly accessed.  Most PDF's are produced from 
Microsoft Word files, and if this is used, the author should employ 
"styles."  This way, when the conversion is done, the Adobe software 
knows what is text, what is a graphic, what a table, what is a list etc.

Also, recent versions of your screen reader, and Adobe Acrobat Reader 
should be used, as the tools have all improved.

There are lots of ways to product PDF's though, lots of ways to get 
text on the page, lots of elements that can be contained ... etc., 
and not all will be accessible.  Thus my answer, it depends.

Things have generally improved, but we still aren't there.

Dave

At 03:45 PM 2/1/2011, you wrote:
>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