Hello John, Thanks for the resource. I will draft out the email shortly. Also will keep the group in loop of it. Mujtaba Merchant Bangalore, India The only disability in life is a BAD ATTITUDE ` Scott Hamilton -----Original Message----- From: jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of John Gregory Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2012 1:05 AM To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jaws-uk] Re: Online Protest Needed to be Initiated ADOBE Mujtaba, why not send an email asking the Royal National Institute of the Blind (UK) if they are aware of this issue and, if so, what they are doing about it. If not, then would they be prepared to address the issue. Send your email to campaigns@xxxxxxxxxxx outlining what you have already stated, including the GW Micro. John. -----Original Message----- From: jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mujtaba Merchant Sent: 04 September 2012 15:35 To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jaws-uk] Re: Online Protest Needed to be Initiated ADOBE Hello Amie Slavin/ Alex, Firstly, thanks for tuning in to this topic! I thought I was the only one around the world who felt that this was technological discrimination to it's best. Below is an exctract from GW Micro, that talks about this restriction for your ears only. Source: GW Micro "Using Adobe Acrobat, when an author makes the conscious decision to protect a PDF document, they can choose to add a password, restrict editing and printing, restrict copying images, text, and other content, and (hold on to your seats) restrict text access for screen readers. Yep, you heard that last one correctly. Adobe provides authors with the ability (pun intended -- you'll know why in a second) to explicitly deny access to assistive technology. This aberration is clearly marked with a check box labeled, "Enable text access for screen reader devices for the visually impaired." I applaud Adobe for taking the lead in creating accessible electronic documentation by providing access to PDF documents, but I will never understand the inclusion of an option that gives someone the ability to decide whether or not accessibility should exist. That check box should have never been created, and it needs to be removed. Accessibility is something that should not be decided by a flick of a mouse button from the hand of a sighted person who doesn't have the first clue as to why a blind person needs access to a PDF in the first place. Accessibility should not be optional!" Alex: Can we take any legal action against this company? I am at India and do not feel I have any power to influence any change on this front... Mujtaba Merchant Bangalore, India The only disability in life is a BAD ATTITUDE ` Scott Hamilton -----Original Message----- From: jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Amie Slavin Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 5:52 PM To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jaws-uk] Re: Online Protest Needed to be Initiated ADOBE So where is it to be found then please? I've recently had a couple of occasions when someone has tried their very best to send me documents, including contracts, but we've drawn a blank on what they can do to make them accessible. Please tell me where this box is to be found so I can tell people when it arises. Thanks. A -----Original Message----- From: jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Alex Stone Sent: 04 September 2012 12:19 To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jaws-uk] Re: Online Protest Needed to be Initiated ADOBE Amie, I think the producer of the pdf file has to uncheck it. And as far as I'm aware it applies to all pdf's. Cheers Alex Alex Stone Assistive Technology Support Engineer Action for Blind People 53 Sandgate Street London SE15 1LE Tel: 020 7635 4946 (direct line) Tel: 020 7635 4800 (switchboard) Office Fax: 020 7639 9927 Action for Blind People is an expert national organisation, ensuring blind and partially sighted people get practical support in all aspects of their lives. -----Original Message----- From: jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Amie Slavin Sent: 04 September 2012 11:56 To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jaws-uk] Re: Online Protest Needed to be Initiated ADOBE So can users uncheck this box or does it have to be the manufacturer who does it? Also, with JAWS 10, would this be applicable to me? Gather 13 is more into accessing the tricky formats...is it? Thanks. A -----Original Message----- From: jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of John Gregory Sent: 03 September 2012 23:14 To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jaws-uk] Re: Online Protest Needed to be Initiated ADOBE Try explaining it to Toshiba! I have corresponded endlessly for them to uncheck this box in their pdf user manual, but to no avail. They appear to think that it compromises their copyright, but all it does is infringe our right to access. John. -----Original Message----- From: jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Amie Slavin Sent: 03 September 2012 20:52 To: jaws-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [jaws-uk] Re: Online Protest Needed to be Initiated ADOBE If there's a box people can uncheck which will improve screen reader access then most people just need that explaining to them. If it's possible to explain it here I'd be very grateful for something to offer the next embarrassed person who finds they can't send me important documents due to format. Thanks for any education. I'm using Jaws 10 btw; does this even apply to me? Cheers A -----Original Message----- From: jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:jaws-uk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Mujtaba Merchant Sent: 03 September 2012 14:58 To: Mujtaba Merchant Subject: [jaws-uk] Online Protest Needed to be Initiated ADOBE Hello Folks, This may not be the right forum to discuss this but it has been on my mind for too long. I want to initiate a online protest against ADOBE Corp. I think this company is taking accessibility too lightly by providing sighted users of their products a choice to restrict screen reader OR assistive technology access to PDF files. I don't understand why a sighted user should have this choice in the first place? And to add to it every sighted user I get PDF files from apparently by default while authoring the file checks the box to restrict it to accessibility. This is the most ridiculous attempt of a company to restrict accessibility to their products. On the other hand ADOBE talks big about accessibility and has provided tools in the PDF reader to help people using assistive technology. Do you see where this is getting us with the company? Your valuable suggestions are needed on how to go about this. I want them to start paying more attention when they are making their god damn products! Mujtaba Merchant Bangalore, India The only disability in life is a BAD ATTITUDE ` Scott Hamilton ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2197 / Virus Database: 2437/5244 - Release Date: 09/02/12 ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2197 / Virus Database: 2437/5247 - Release Date: 09/03/12 ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ---------- Action for Blind People is an expert national organisation, ensuring blind and partially sighted people get practical support in all aspects of their lives. In April 2009 Action for Blind People became part of RNIB Group, in an innovative partnership combining regional service delivery across England. This partnership enables both organisations to share skills and deliver services in line with the UK Vision Strategy. For more information phone us through the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit our fully accessible website. www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk Company Registration no: (England and Wales 26688) Registered Charity no: 205913 (England and Wales) SC040050 (Scotland) Save a tree. Don't print this email unless it's really necessary. ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2197 / Virus Database: 2437/5247 - Release Date: 09/03/12 ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq ** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe] ** If this link doesn't work then send a message to: ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** and in the Subject line type ** unsubscribe ** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the ** immediately-following link:- ** [mailto:jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq] ** or send a message, to ** jaws-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq