Spot on, John! The major screen readers these days can
indeed read the vast majority of PDF files, but with a few
provisos.
First, one should ideally be using Adobe Reader Version 8
where most files can be saved as text if required. However,
some network/system administrators are slow to upgrade.
Second, it should be understood that some PDF files are in
fact just scanned images. It is not unusual for example to
see newspaper articles this way. There is nothing you can do
here, but print, scan and OCR.
Third, authors very often go totally overboard with
protecting their PDFs (which in some cases is
understandable), some to the extent where you are not even
allowed to save or print.
Fourth, many people think PDF is an editing application like
Word for Windows. It's not. A few seconds before a PDF came
into existence, it may have been a Word, Excel, Publisher,
or whatever file. Hence it may be worth asking the author
if they would be prepared to release the original.
Finally, there is a bit of a learning curve both in terms of
both navigating PDF files with a screen reader, and creating
them. However in neither case is it exactly rocket science.
George W F Bell, Managing Director
Techno-Vision Systems Ltd
76 Bunting Road Ind. Est.
NORTHAMPTON, NN2 6EE
Tel: 01604 792777
Fax: 01604 792726
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
Web: http://www.techno-vision.co.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their
support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of John Conway
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2008 2:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Pdf's and K3000 files
excuse my ignorance, but aren't people supposed to provide
"accessible" PDF, or alternative formats? doesn't using
Omnipage Pro mean scanning paper copies and using OCR to
convert to text which seems a lot of work for someone,
especially for a blind person, and normally Omipage retails
for around £60 I think.
john
Dr John S Conway
Principal Lecturer /Disability Officer / Chair, Research
Committee
Royal Agricultural college, Cirencester, Glos GL7 6JS
01285 652531 fax 01285 650219
http://www.rac.ac.uk/?_id=590
________________________________
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their
support staff. on behalf of diana maniati
Sent: Fri 18/01/2008 14:00
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: Pdf's and K3000 files
Dear Nasser,
I am a screen reader user (jaws) and I have the same
problem. Many of the documents I need to read for my work
are PDFs. I was wandering if you could send me a copy of
this software or if you could advice me were can I find it.
Many thanks
Diana
Diana Maniati
Disability Advisor
Room C118
Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College
Beaconsfield Road
Southall
Middlesex
UB1 1DP
Tel: 020 8231 6371
----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their
support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Nasser Siabi
Sent: 18 January 2008 13:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Pdf's and K3000 files
Hi Claire
I think you will be able to do most of this by using the
Omnipage OCR software. If you need a copy I will gladly send
you one free of charge.
Best wishes
Nasser Siabi
Managing Director
Microlink PC (UK) Ltd
Direct: 02380 240 316
Mobile: 07870603128
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-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their
support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Claire Wickham
Sent: 18 January 2008 11:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Pdf's and K3000 files
Andy (or anyone else): I am searching for software that will
enable a VI student to convert PDF files to word and make
the files usable e.g. avoiding the line breaks that occur if
you cut and paste. What is the best option and how do I get
hold of it please?
You can contact me at [log in to unmask]
With thanks,
Claire
Claire Wickham
Senior Disability Officer
Disability Resource Centre
University of the West of England
Frenchay Campus
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol BS16 1QY
Tel: 0117 328 3737
Textphone: 0117 32 83644
Fax: 0117 32 82935
Please note that this e-mail was written using speech input
and may contain some small voice recognition errors.
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their
support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Andy Mcmahon
Sent: 15 January 2008 09:57
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Pdf's and K3000 files
Hi,
I may be able to help with PDF files, you can change the
flow layout.
If you send me a few examples(off list), I will test them,
and send back instruction.
Also could also use a PDF2Word conversion programs which
will strip the text to a word file, and you can modify to
your own preferences.(does not work with all PDF files)
Hope this helps
Andy
>>> Elaine Eldridge <[log in to unmask]> 14
January 2008
>>>
I'm print impaired and my eyesight has improved to the point
that I can read times new roman 14pt magnified 2x on a 37"
gas plasma screen
which I think equates to 26pt Times New Roman when printed.
I can't however get pdf's and scanned books to magnify
enough before they go off one side of the screen - the ideal
would be to be able to
resize and repaginate them.
Has anyone come across this before and found a way to get
around it??
There are usually three elements to deal with - the text,
images and tables.
We thought of getting a printer to blow it up onto A2 or A1
but this would cost around £30 per page!!!! A3 printing
isn't large enough.
Kind regards
Elaine
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