My view is that there is a sort of knee-jerk reaction with PDF that
comes from the fact that most people do not set then up properly for
accessibility. Also rather than being concerned about formatting people
who use PDF are really trying to prevent anyone from copying the
information into another medium.
PDF files can be accessible if they are properly structured with
bookmarks to allow navigation and that any diagrams, images, charts,
graphs, etc are adequately described in text as well as the image. Also
attempts to lock the file to prevent alteration will lead to screen
reading software being unable to extract the text.
Also needs to be borne in mind that the language should be Plain English
if English is the language it is being written in.
Avoid at all costs scanning hard copy into PDF as it rarely gives the
quality of text through an OCR without good proof-reading and worst of
all is the PDF that is entirely scanned image of text.
Having said that I would prefer to see a PDF and a HTML version where
possible.
Marcus
Marcus Ormerod
SURFACE Inclusive Design Research Centre
The University of Salford
Bridgewater Building
Salford, UK
M7 1NU
Tel +44 (0)161 295 5405
Fax +44 (0)161 295 5011
Minicom +44 (0)161 295 3194
Web http://www.inclusive-design.it
Email [log in to unmask]
Best practice guide http://www.accesscode.info
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Conway
Sent: 11 December 2003 10:14
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: PDF files
Several colleagues are keen to publish their learning resources as PDF
files to preserve the formatting etc. What is the current
"accessibility" view on using PDF?
Dr John S Conway
Principal lecturer in soil science / Disability Officer
Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Glos GL7 6JS
01285 652531 ext 2234 fax 01285 650219
http://www.royagcol.ac.uk/~john_conway/
email [log in to unmask]
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