This has been a long standing problem as we all know but options are being
developed and it may be useful to look at the Infty Project with OCR and a
Reader http://www.inftyproject.org/en/index.html
Best wishes E.A.
Mrs E.A. Draffan
Learning Societies Lab,
ECS, University of Southampton,
Tel +44 (0)23 8059 7246
http://www.lexdis.ecs.soton.ac.uk
http://www.emptech.info
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Peter J Halls
Sent: 05 November 2008 07:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Jaws
John,
if the document contains significant equations or other mathematical
material, the source is most likely to be TeX, or one of its derivatives,
rather
than Word / OpenOffice Writer ... and, in such cases, there can be no .doc
or
.rtf format. In this case, PDF is pretty much the only (nearly) accessible
format available. So far as I can see, we are a long way from achieving
accessible maths.
Peter
John Conway wrote:
> Well said.
>
> even truly accessible PDF are inaccessible to dyslexics who cannot change
font face or colour schemes! One such student has just had to have a reader
in an exam solely because the document supplied for use during the exam was
only available as a PDF image and so she could not read it.
>
> surely it should be obligatory to supply the Word or RTF version????
>
>
> Dr John S Conway BSc PhD FGS FRGS FHEA MNADP
> Director, MSc International Rural Development
> Director, BSc Countryside Management
> Chair, Research Committee
> Principal Lecturer : Soil Science
> Disability Officer
> Royal Agricultural college, Cirencester, Glos GL7 6JS
> 01285 652531 fax 01285 650219
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. on
behalf of Silver, Liz
> Sent: Tue 04/11/2008 14:07
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Jaws
>
>
> Hi,
>
> Following the replies you have already received, there are a couple of
major factors being overlooked. First of all, even if the alternative
technology such as Thunder can be loaded onto a memory stick, not all Jaws
users will want to be having to use technology which is not as useful or
flexible as Jaws, and will not want to have to learn how to use this new
software. Secondly, even with a PDF file which is readable using Jaws, they
are still a pain in all sorts of places as it is really difficult to
actually search say for a specific word in the document and even if you can
get over that hurdle, there is then no way of actually marking what you have
found or adding any notes for future reference. Speaking as a Jaws user, as
might be obvious, I think When told that something is only available in PDF
the response should always be that it is required in Word or RTF etc and
this is a reasonable adjustment and just having to cope with a PDF version
is not acceptable. Rant ove
r!
>
> Cheers,
>
> Liz
>
> Liz Silver
> Disability Officer
> Student Support Services
> Nottingham Trent University
> Working Monday to Thursday
> Phone: 0115 848 4495
> Minicom: 18001 0115 848 4495
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Callaghan, Brigid
> Sent: 03 November 2008 13:57
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Jaws
>
>
>
> Hello,
>
>
>
> Does anyone know of any developments in the assistive technology world for
blind students? Is there any better package available than Jaws, which has
fewer problems or none at all in fact with 'reading' PDF. Please remember in
your reply that I not an experienced techie ; - ).
>
>
>
> Reply off list [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
>
>
> Many thanks
>
>
>
> ***********************************************************
> Brigid Callaghan
> Disability Adviser
> Student Services
> University of Bolton
> Deane Rd
> Bolton
> BL3 5AB
> [log in to unmask]
> To make an appointment: 01204 903733.
> Direct line: 01204 903803
> Minicom: 01204 903490
>
> Please do not print off this email unless absolutely necessary - save the
planet.
> ***********************************************************
>
>
>
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--
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Peter J Halls, GIS Advisor, University of York
Telephone: 01904 433806 Fax: 01904 433740
Snail mail: Computing Service, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD
This message has the status of a private and personal communication
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