 |
 |
If you are using PDFs, then PAVE, a free tool from the ICT Accessibility Lab in Zurich may be worth checking out. I haven't used it myself, but it claims to make existing PDFs screenreader-accessible. http://www.pave-pdf.org/index.en.html Generally, I recommend content is made available online in HTML or Word, but as Alistair says, there may be times when PDFs are appropriate. Kellie On 12 September 2016 at 13:02, Alistair McNaught < [log in to unmask]> wrote: > Just to chip in here, the accessibility benefits of Word versus PDF can > vary depending on what your particular *need* might be. > > > > An accessible PDF (see Abi's previous posting) can be a better tool for > people requiring *higher magnification* because Word only magnifies with > reflow to 500%. Adobe Acrobat can go well over 1000% magnification with > reflow. Similarly, the auto scroll facility in Adobe reader can be a real > benefit, particularly to people using high magnification where they have > many screens to scroll through. > > > > So an accessible PDF can be more accessible than an accessible Word > document but a poorly accessible PDF is considerably worse than a poorly > accessible Word document! > > > > Alistair > > > > > > [image: Jisc] <http://www.jisc.ac.uk/> > > *Alistair McNaught* > Subject specialist (accessibility and inclusion) > > > > T 0203 819 8210 > M 07443984111 > Skype alistair_techdis > Twitter @alistairm > One Castlepark, Tower Hill, Bristol, BS2 0JA > > *jisc.ac.uk <http://www.jisc.ac.uk/> * > > > > > > *From:* Assistive Technology interest group [mailto:ASSISTIVE-TECHNOLOGY@ > JISCMAIL.AC.UK] *On Behalf Of *Alexander Stivaros > *Sent:* 12 September 2016 11:42 > *To:* [log in to unmask] > *Subject:* Re: Word or PDF > > > > Hi > > > > Screen readers can sometimes struggle with PDFs. > > The new version of textGold which is due to be on-line shortly has > provision for reading PDFs. > > So format wise, Word or PDF is fine. > > > > Webpage/E-learning platform wise – no text overlaying images (difficult > for screen readers to make out). > > Txt > clearly formatted, try to avoid using columns, left aligned text. > > > > Hope that’s useful! > > > > Many Thanks > > > > Alex > > > > AT Specialist > > Manchester Metropolitan University > > > > *From:* Assistive Technology interest group [mailto:ASSISTIVE-TECHNOLOGY@ > JISCMAIL.AC.UK <[log in to unmask]>] *On Behalf Of *John > Hodgson > *Sent:* 12 September 2016 11:24 > *To:* [log in to unmask] > *Subject:* Word or PDF > > > > Hi Everyone, > > > > I’ve been asked if there’s a preferred format for documentation on our > webpages/eLearn platform. More to the point, I’ve been asked if we should > stick to Word or PDF. > > > > Or carry on as we have been, and release which ever suits the situation. > For example: A PDF of a journal, should stay as a PDF and a learning > outcomes document produced in Word, should just stay, as a word document. > > > > > > *So, my question is, does anyone have any preference? PDF or Word?* > > > > > > As a rule we usually say that documentation which is available as PDF > should be provided as Word format also. But we’ve found that this is > rarely adhered to and often when it is, it runs the risk of there being two > different versions of the same text when one is updated. > > > > With regards to important forms. …these are provided as Word and PDF. > > > > Initially my thoughts are to say that we should stick to Word documents, > as navigating through them is often a little less clunky than with PDFs. > But, as far as I can tell, whilst some blind users have difficulty with > PDFs, I know that well formatted PDFs are often fine with most screen > readers. > > > > All comments welcome! J > > > > Best wishes > > > > John > > > > > > > > *John Hodgson* > > *Technical Disability Adviser* > > *Disability Services* > > *University of Central Lancashire* > > "Before acting on this email or opening any attachments you should read > the Manchester Metropolitan University email disclaimer available on its > website http://www.mmu.ac.uk/emaildisclaimer " > > Jisc is a registered charity (number 1149740) and a company limited by > guarantee which is registered in England under Company No. 5747339, VAT No. > GB 197 0632 86. Jisc’s registered office is: One Castlepark, Tower Hill, > Bristol, BS2 0JA. T 0203 697 5800. > > Jisc Services Limited is a wholly owned Jisc subsidiary and a company > limited by guarantee which is registered in England under company number > 2881024, VAT number GB 197 0632 86. The registered office is: One Castle > Park, Tower Hill, Bristol BS2 0JA. T 0203 697 5800. > -- Kellie Mote Mob: 07941 312 259 Skype ID: KellieMote Email: [log in to unmask] Twitter: @KellieMote <https://twitter.com/KellieMote> Linkedin: uk.linkedin.com/in/kelliemote