Hi Roger, Things have changed a bit since 2003. There is still a problem filling out forms in PDF, but they can be read. We both retired in 2005, but until we retired we used Jaws and we were just beginning to use PDF files. Here at home we use Windoweyes and have very little trouble reading PDF files.
Mike----- Original Message ----- From: "Roger Loran Bailey" <rogerbailey81@xxxxxxx>
To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 4:46 PMSubject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Speaking of accessible content or rather making accessible content
That explains something. Back in 2003 when I first got Internet access I started surfing the web without having the slightest idea what I was doing. I did not have the foggiest idea what PDF was and I had not even heard of that combination of letters until I came across an occasional link labeled PDF document. I found out that when I clicked such a link everything froze up on me. JAWS would not speak and pressing no key would have any effect that I could discern. The only thing I could do was to press the power button on my computer cutting off its electrical supply and then starting over by turning it on again. After that happened a few times I learned to never never ever click a link labeled PDF. I still don't have a clear idea of what PDF is; I just know to avoid it. "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. AnthonyThe Militant: http://www.themilitant.com Pathfinder Press: http://www.pathfinderpress.com Granma International: http://www.granma.cu/ingles/index.html----- Original Message ----- From: "Chela Robles" <cdrobles693@xxxxxxxxx>To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 5:55 PMSubject: [bksvol-discuss] Speaking of accessible content or rather making accessible contentI stumbled across this article you might be interested in. The Problem With PDF Content by Donna J. JodhanThat's the crazy thing that so many content designers just do not understand. They continue to put all of their efforts into designing pretty PDF content but at the end of the day it is totally inaccessible to blind and visually impaired people. Why you ask? Very simple. PDF content is made up of an image that cannot be deciphered by screen readers. In other words; PDF files are image-based instead of textual-based. Blind and visually impaired persons use screen readers to surf the Internet.More and more online forms are being designed in PDF format and as a result of this, blind and visually impaired people are being deprived of their right to privacy and confidentiality. How is this? Simple! If a form is in PDF format it means that blind and visually impaired people need to depend on sighted assistance to help them complete it. It is frustrating, scary, and a downright violation of our right to confidentiality and privacy. There is a way for all of this to be dealt with and it starts with the content developer using the appropriate tags to format the PDF content so that it is made accessible and usable.What most content developers still fail to understand is this: if they take the additional time to tag their PDF content appropriately, they will not only be making it accessible to the blind and visually impaired; they will also be making it accessible and usable to the print disabled, the technically shy, and to those who are not technically savvy. Before you start to wonder who all of these people are, please allow me to elaborate.The print disabled: those who are unable to read because of either physical, mental, or visual challenges.The technically shy or not technically savvy: those who have difficulty coping with modern technology and who work better with more simple environments. In short, the millions of aging baby boomers who did not grow up with the Internet at their fingertips.I personally find PDF content to be frustrating, a useless and time-consuming obstacle for me to deal with, and a downright insult to my right to privacy and confidentiality. Let me give you a URL that you can visit in order to learn why PDF content does not benefit the blind and visually impaired. Visit http://www.rnib.org.uk/wacblog/pdf/why-pdfs-suck.I'm Donna J. Jodhan, an accessibility and special needs business consultant wishing you a terrific day. If you'd like to learn more about me, then you can visit some of my blog spots at: Donna Jodhan! Advocating accessibility for all: http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com Weekly Saturday postings on issues of accessibility: http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html blogs on various issues and answers to consumers concerns: http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm----------------"If you go without playing the trumpet for one day, no one knows, two days, only you know, and more than three days without practicing, girl you better look out, because everyone will know!" Today, I find myself constantly saying those words, just to get myself going, to not give up, and it works. Since I learned to play the trumpet at the tender age of 10, I have spent so much passion and much diligence with that instrument that I will not give up on it. Sometimes my instrument puts me into awkward situations where I feel like they won't ever end, but the trumpet gives me a lot of hope with the majestic, crystal-clear sound it brings to my ears.---------------- Chela Robles E-Mail: cdrobles693@xxxxxxxxx MSNWindowsLive Messenger: cdrobles693@xxxxxxxxxxx Skype: jazzytrumpet To unsubscribe from this list send a blank Email to bksvol-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxput the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the subject line. To get a list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the subject line.
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