[blindlaw] Inaccessible Government PDF Forms

[Susan Kelly]

I will also try to check on my system - we do public defense (juvenile), but because I also have a background in immigration issues, I occasionally have to pull forms for families to submit.  I had not thought about it before because JAWS has only recently become necessary - more soon.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dittman, Robert
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 2:16 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Inaccessible Government PDF Forms

Tai,

Are you also a student attorney, just asking because I am doing the same thing in the civil clinic here at St. Mary's University School of Law here in Texas.

What version of jaws are you running? Jaws version 12 seems to be working fine on most government forms from the SSA although it is still no pick nick. I will be trying out a Mac as soon as I can get my paws on one.  Secondly I have had good luck having the forms converted into word form and then filling out the forms as well.  As a third and last resort option, you can always go to sighted assistance because some of the forms are just not rendered in an accessible form.

Good luck,
Rob


Robert D. Dittman
Student Attorney
St. Mary's University, Center for Legal and Social Justice (Civil Clinic)
2507 N.W. 36th Street
San Antonio, TX  78228-3918
Phone: (210) 431-5760  fax: (210) 431-5700
Email: rdittman at mail.stmarytx.edu

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-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tai Blas
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 4:09 PM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blindlaw] Inaccessible Government PDF Forms

Hi all. I am working as a volunteer with my school's legal clinic helping victims of domestic violence file immigration forms to get U-visas. Unfortunately, these PDF forms are extremely inaccessible with JAWS. When I tab through them, many of the fields are unlabeled.
Sometimes, the checkboxes are confusing due to the way they are labeled. Can someone please outline what steps I should take to address this problem? i really want to assist these clients and don't want the burden of form-filling to fall to my sighted colleagues. Does anyone else have experience with immigration forms?

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks.

Tai

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