Accessibility & Portable Document Format (PDF)
Portable Document Format (PDF) is a type of file developed by Adobe as a means of distributing documents over the Internet. The strength of PDF lies in its ability to convert any document and consistently maintain the formatting of that document on the screen and in print, regardless of what kind of computer or printer is used and regardless of what software package was originally used to create the document.
- Adobe Acrobat
A software program that generates a PDF file by capturing the structure of the document being converted to PDF. A 30-day tryout is available from the Adobe website but the full version of Acrobat must be purchased. The most recent version is Adobe Acrobat 8. - Adobe Reader
A free download from the Adobe website that is needed to view and print a PDF file. Adobe Reader also has the ability to expose elements in the PDF file to a screen reader. The current version is Adobe Reader 8. - Online Conversion Tools
Free tools on the Adobe website for converting a PDF file that is online or locally stored (on your hard drive or a CD-ROM) into a webpage (HTML file) or text file by submitting an email or a web-based form.
Adobe’s Online Conversation Tools are available at Online conversion tools for Adobe PDF documents. - Plug-ins
Other software programs are available to convert documents to PDF files; some are free, but others must be purchased.
Adobe Acrobat 8
Adobe Acrobat is a software program that generates a PDF file by capturing the structure of the document being converted to PDF. A 30-day tryout version of Adobe Acrobat 8.0 is available, but the full version of Adobe Acrobat must be purchased from the online Adobe store or authorized Adobe resellers. Some features specific to Adobe Acrobat 6.0 include:
- Create tagged PDF files from applications such as Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007 for Windows XP/Vista.
- Check and edit PDF files with the Accessibility Checker and the Tags palette.
- Add security while retaining accessibility.
- Convert existing PDF files to tagged (accessible) PDF files.
- Export text from a tagged PDF to text (TXT), Rich Text Format (RTF), Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and Microsoft Word (DOC).
- Reduce the size of tagged PDF files for faster download times.
- Review and modify the reflow order of objects on a page.
- Add text to scanned pages for improved accessibility.
Adobe Reader 8
To view and print a PDF file, you must have Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader installed on your system.
Adobe Reader 8 and Adobe Acrobat 8 have features that promote accessible document creation and facilitate better comprehension for the user. Features common to both include:
- Reading of PDF files by a standard operating system text-to-speech application or by a screen reader used in a Microsoft Windows based environment.
- Quick accessibility evaluation of a PDF file.
- Keyboard shortcut navigation.
- Ability to save PDF as text and view PDF files in high-contrast mode.
- Customization of font size in the navigation panels.
- Use of large type display and reflow of the text to fit any viewing preference when working with tagged (accessible) PDF files.
- Choice of alternate reading orders.
- Japanese language support.
.